If you hadn’t noticed, the NBA is competitive. If you want to compete, you need to have a lot of talent on your roster. Otherwise, you might as well rebuild.
Look at the Utah Jazz. Last season, this team was competitive for long stretches. In 2023-24, they’re not looking nearly as good. The Jazz don’t have enough talent to compete. In all likelihood, the best thing that this team could do is rebuild.
By contrast, the Dallas Mavericks are competitive. This team has serious title aspirations in 2023-24. With that in mind, they ought to look to improve their roster ahead of the trade deadline.
Could they acquire Kelly Olynyk from the Jazz?
NBA Trade Proposal: Dallas Mavericks Land Utah Jazz’s Kelly Olynyk
Utah Jazz Receive: C Richaun Holmes, 2027 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – DAL)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F/C Kelly Olynyk
NBA competition exists on several levels. The most intense competition is on the court. Still, the league’s front offices are having their competition. They’re looking to see who can stockpile the most assets.
On that measure, the Jazz are elite. This team already has one of the best collections of first-round picks in the NBA. They’re set up to host another fire sale at this year’s deadline. The Jazz are getting ahead of the market regarding draft capital.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks Updates
None of that matters if they can’t build the right team. Acquiring assets is half the battle – the other half is turning them into players.
Are they getting enough assets back for Olynyk here?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
Olynyk is far from the biggest name that’s rumored to be available in Utah. Jordan Clarkson seems to be on the market. Even Lauri Markkanen could be available at the right price. The Jazz seem ready to rebuild.
Still, Olynyk should be on the market. He’s a useful veteran. He won’t net them an unprotected first, but he could likely land them a collection of second-rounders, or a heavily protected first.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks Updates
The Jazz should take the latter option if it’s available. As long as Dallas has Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, they should be outside of the lottery. This pick should convey.
Should the Mavericks give it up?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
The Mavericks should be doing what they can to improve their roster. They need to make the best deal that they can at the deadline. That might mean giving up more assets for a player that’s better than Olynyk.
At the same time, we like the fit here. Olynyk is the type of role player who can complement any roster. He’s a combo big man who can stretch the floor and offer some defensive resistance. That’s the type of guy that you need around Doncic and Irving.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Meanwhile, Dallas isn’t using Holmes anyway. As long as that’s true, they shouldn’t mind parting with a lottery-protected first to land a quality player like Olynyk. After all, this team wants to make a deep playoff run – they’ll face stiff competition.
