The NBA standings can be deceiving. One shouldn’t assume that a team’s current place in the league is the place that they’ll stay in. On the other hand, we’re at a point in the season where a team’s performance is worth noting.
For example, the Los Angeles Lakers ought to be better than they’ve been. Something isn’t clicking here. Still, LeBron James is having a strong season. Considering that, the Lakers are likely a better team than the standings suggest.
By contrast, the Utah Jazz may be the team we’ve seen in 2023-24. Outside of Lauri Markkanen, this team is too light on top-end talent to compete truly. Could they send Kelly Olynyk to the Lakers as a result?
NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Lakers Land Utah Jazz’s Kelly Olynyk
Utah Jazz Receive: G Gabe Vincent, 2024 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2030 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F/C Kelly Olynyk
The standings won’t only deceive us in regards to underperforming teams. Teams overperform as well. They look good for a spell, but in time, we’ll see their true colors.
Look at last year’s Jazz squad. This team started hot. The Jazz had just moved Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. They were expected to tank. At the beginning of 2022-23, they might be ready to compete already.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
That was not the case. The Jazz started losing games, and they haven’t looked back. Ultimately, this team is what we originally thought they’d be. The Jazz are young, and they aren’t ready to compete.
Should they trade Olynyk?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
Yes. The Jazz have no reason to hang onto Olynyk. He’s on an expiring deal, and in all likelihood, he’ll want to join a more competitive team in 2024-25.
Could he net them a first-round pick? It’s debatable. Olynyk is on the bubble. He could potentially land a heavily protected first. If the Jazz receive that kind of offer, they should decline it.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Otherwise? Four second-round picks is fair value for Olynyk. The Jazz could use these picks to grease the wheels on a future trade. If Utah makes some additional moves, they could add a lot to an impressive collection of assets.
Should the Lakers send them assets?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
As of this writing, the Lakers are a game over .500. That’s not good enough. This team rosters LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers should be in the running for an NBA title.
That makes them a strong candidate to make a move. The Lakers have been linked to big-name targets like Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray. They could go that route. On the other hand, this team is light on assets – they’ll be entirely depleted if they make a move for one of those guys.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Why not acquire a solid rotation player? Olynyk can space the floor, and he’s a heady passer. He also provides some defensive value. He’d surely make the Lakers a better team. Realistically, they’re likely a better team than we currently realize anyway.
