The NBA’s trade deadline is quickly approaching. As a result, rumors are beginning to circulate. At this point, we’re hearing that certain teams have particular preferences about which types of players they’ll acquire.
It seems the Golden State Warriors have a vision. It’s being rumored that the Warriors are looking to pick up a 7-footer with some offensive talent. Fair enough. What win-now team wouldn’t want a 7-footer who can go out and get a bucket?
The problem is that those players don’t exactly grow on trees. The Warriors are looking for the rarest type of player in the NBA. With that in mind, they don’t necessarily need to make a move for a star.
The Warriors could target a more feasible offensive big man. How about Kelly Olynyk of the Utah Jazz?
NBA Trade Proposal: Golden State Warriors Land Utah Jazz’s Kelly Olynyk
Utah Jazz Receive: G/F Gary Payton III, G/F Moses Moody
Golden State Warriors Receive: F/C Kelly Olynyk
Some teams won’t be looking for a particular type of player. They’ll be looking for assets. We’re talking about sellers. These teams won’t be thinking about which types of players they need for a couple of years or more.
Are the Jazz one of those teams? We’re not sure. Conventional wisdom would dictate that the Jazz should be sellers. they’re closer to the bottom of the Western Conference standings than they are to the top.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors Updates
With that said, general manager Danny Ainge is notoriously tricky. He may have a different plan in mind. For what it’s worth, the Jazz aren’t so bad – as a matter of fact, they’re ahead of the Warriors in the standings.
Should the Jazz be sellers?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
There’s a marked difference between the Jazz and the Warriors. The Warriors have Steph Curry. As talented as Lauri Markkanen is, he’s not on Curry’s level. Nobody is carrying the Jazz to a title if they make the right roster move.
So yes, they should be sellers. The Jazz can decide whether to move or keep Markkanen – he’s young enough to be part of a future-focused team. By contrast, Olynyk is a veteran. It’s time for the Jazz to move on from the talented combo big.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors Updates
Here, they’re flipping him for Moody. He’s a solid, do-it-all wing who’s easily young enough to be part of this team’s core. If the Jazz want to turn to the future, they should be happy to add him to the roster.
Should the Warriors part with the young forward?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
The Warriors want a big man with some offensive skills. How many players fit that description? Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, Domantas Sabonis, and Alperen Sengun will all be untouchable. Meanwhile, something tells us that Christian Wood isn’t who the Warriors have in mind.
This is a sweet spot that’s difficult to identify. Who is the offensive-minded big man who the Warriors can afford? The best answer that we can land on is Olynyk. He offers floor spacing in addition to some secondary playmaking.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kelly Olynyk, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors Updates
He won’t tank their defense either. Olynyk isn’t a fantastic rim protector, but he can thrive in hedge and recover schemes with his ability to defend in space. In other words, he may be just the guy that the Warriors covet at the deadline.
