3 Trades the 76ers Must Pursue if Joel Embiid Misses Significant Time
By Jovan Alford
2. Kelly Olynyk
Olynyk is another big man who has drawn trade interest from various teams ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
The Sixers saw the 32-year-old Olynyk up close and personal on Thursday night as Philly won 127-124 in Salt Lake City. Olynyk posted 14 points (3-4 FG, 7-7 FT), three rebounds, and three assists in 14 minutes off the bench.
This season, the veteran power forward is averaging 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 20.5 minutes per game. Olynyk is also shooting a career-high 56.3% from the field and 42.7% from three-point range.
The veteran big man has only started in eight games this season after starting in 68 games last season. Utah acquired veteran John Collins from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade in the offseason, who has started in the front court with Lauri Markannen.
If the Sixers were to acquire Olynyk, it would give them a big man who can stretch the floor and provide some protection on the glass. Olynyk has an ORtg (offensive rating) of 128 and a DRtg (defensive rating) of 117.
Unlike Drummond, I don’t think it will be easy to pry Olynyk away from the Jazz, as Danny Ainge will want value in return. Therefore, if you are Philly, do you trade Robert Covington and a 2024 second-round pick for Olynyk?
Olynyk makes $12.1M this season, so to match the money, Covington is one of the options to throw at the Jazz along with a 2024 second-round pick. The Sixers would be losing perimeter defense with Covington. But they still have Nic Batum, DeAnthony Melton (when healthy), and others who could fill the void.