Celtics urge to use commercial exception, reunite with former big boys

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Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are running out of time to use their $17.2 million trading exception, as it expires on July 18.

While it’s true that the July 1 acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon mitigated the need and urgency to use such a large outlier, Boston still needs a big turnaround and might be tempted to return. commercial market.

As a result, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley recently endorsed the concept of trading in Boston to their old man, Kelly Olynyk, as the Detroit Pistons will likely accept a low-cost offer when they want to move on. rebuild your team.

“Celtics originally trapped Kelly Olynyk in a draft night deal in 2013, and a reunion could help fill the void created when Daniel Theis was traded. The Olynyk player now isn’t much different from the one Boston first crowned nearly a decade ago. In fact, his 2021-22 numbers bear an impressive resemblance to his rookie product,” Buckley wrote on July 14.

Olynyk is entering the second year of a three-year, $37 million contract, with his third and final year partially guaranteed for just $3 million.

Olynyk meets the need

When you consider the additions of the potential big boys, none of them meet Boston’s needs better than Olynyk. The former Celtics player is a capable third-tier player, able to stretch the floor, bounce back and score around the perimeter.

Sure, the 6ft 11in isn’t a star name, but that’s not what the Celtics need. Instead, they need a reliable veteran who can provide solid backup minutes for Robert Williams and Al Horford, while also being talented enough to be a viable starter when the big players start their game. Teams miss matches – due to injury or load management.

With a career average of 10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and two assists per game on 36.5% three-pointers and 47.6% from the field, it’s clear that Olynyk covers every base for Boston , and whether they’re willing to go even deeper into the luxury tax, the veteran center will be the perfect fit in Ime Udoka’s offensive and defensive systems.

Boston has the ability to find a proven center

Another aspect of Olynyk’s addition is that he adds another veteran presence to Boston’s bench, and considers Brad Stevens’ willingness to trade two summer draft picks As it has been lately, it’s clear that Boston’s leadership team values ​​experience more.

While Mfiondu Kabengele performed well in the Summer Split, the opportunity to add a proven veteran to the rotation would probably be more appealing to Stevens, and if Olynyk is his main target, they are. We can expect to see the Celtics Executive President of Basketball make that his core focus through July 18.

It’s worth noting, of course, that other veteran bigwigs are currently available in free agency, with Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins ​​being the headliners of that particular group of players. So if Olynyk is deemed too expensive, given the luxury tax penalties his acquisition will trigger, there are still plenty of other options Boston could pursue, should they want to avoid one more project. young, growing into a position of real need.