Around the NBA, there are only a handful of title contenders. Sure, we could expand the list to include some dark horse contenders. We all know the truth. The group of teams with a real chance at winning the NBA title is an exclusive club.
The Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks are all members of that club. Teams like the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder are all on the outside looking in. What about the Philadelphia 76ers?
That’s a difficult call. The Sixers maybe somewhere in between those groups. They may be a piece away from true contention. That piece doesn’t have to be a star – it could simply be a quality rotation player. How about Kelly Olynyk of the Utah Jazz?
The Trade Proposal
Utah Jazz receive: F Robert Covington, 2028 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – PHI)
Philadelphia 76ers receive: F/C Kelly Olynyk
With that said, life can change quickly in the NBA. Membership in that exclusive club can be instantly revoked. A team could look like a serious title contender, and before you know if, they’re out of the picture.
Look at the Jazz. It wasn’t long ago that this team was built around Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. The Jazz had a chance at the NBA title. They fell short consistently, and as a result, they moved on from their star duo.
Where did that leave the Jazz? Now, they’re somewhere in no man’s land. The Jazz aren’t title contenders, but they are playoff hopefuls. Should they move Olynyk and hurt their playoff chances?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
The Jazz didn’t even look like a playoff team until recently. This team has been turning a corner. Partly, that’s been due to the effectiveness of lineups featuring John Collins at the 5.
So, trading a veteran 5 makes sense. This team’s frontcourt has long been crowded anyway. Walker Kessler needs time, and Lauri Markkanen needs time at the 4. The Jazz can spare Olynyk. What should they seek in return for him?
An unprotected first feels a bit ambitious. If teams are giving up that type of draft capital, they’ll likely seek a more impactful player than Olynyk. A lottery protected first and an expiring deal ought to suffice. Should the Sixers give that much up for Olynyk?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
The Sixers have typically failed to provide Joel Embiid with a quality backup. That makes some sense. If your best player is a big man, you may not want to allocate more resources to that position.
Yet, a combo big would make sense. If the Sixers had a player who could back Embiid up and play alongside him, that would be a huge advantage. The team wouldn’t have to fall completely off when Embiid was resting, and they’d have an added depth piece to keep more talent on the floor.
Olynyk fits the bill. He’s a highly useful role player who can space the floor, pass, and defend in space. He’ll make the Sixers a better team. If they aren’t contenders now, they will be after landing Olynyk.
