Celtics, Heat in Pursuit of Jazz’s Kelly Olynyk

Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk is apparently drawing trade interest from some old friends. Namely, the Celtics and Heat, per Steve Bulpett of Heavy Sports.

Olynyk, of course, has spent time with both teams previously and is in his first year in Utah. There seem to be doubts as to whether either the Celtics or Heat actually can meet the Jazz’s asking price, though, Bulpett added.

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge once hired Celtics president Brad Stevens as coach, then Stevens replaced Ainge in Boston. Now, those two are talking Olynyk. That’s just the NBA for you.

Anyway, the Celtics are coming off a run to The Finals and lead the Eastern Conference again this year. So they certainly aren’t looking for a shakeup. But reports have suggested they are looking to add another big man as insurance in the frontcourt.

“Olynyk is a guy they have interest in, but I doubt if that will happen,” a source told Bulpett. “Both teams that have had Olynyk have interest in getting him back, but I don’t think that that’ll happen, just like I don’t think (a move for San Antonio’s Jakob Poeltl) will happen, either.”

Olynyk, 31, left the Celtics for the Heat in 2017, with the Heat trading him away in the deal for Victor Oladipo in 2021. He has been playing well in his first year with the Jazz, averaging 11.7 points and 4.9 rebounds in 41 games.

The Heat have picks to give, so may be in a better position to add Olynyk. They have also reportedly remained in the running for Suns forward Jae Crowder, though many around the league view a Crowder-to-the-Heat reunion as a lot less likely than one involving Olynyk.

Reporting from @SteveBHoop has the @MiamiHEAT AND the @celtics seeking a trade for old friend Kelly Olynyk. Can they get it done?
More at @HeavyOnSports:https://t.co/MZW4rOVtiB

— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) February 2, 2023