The Denver Nuggets need some reinforcements this offseason. Entering the league’s second tax apron, they have limited options in free agency. They could try their hand at a trade, and one possible target could be Kelly Olynyk.
The Toronto Raptors big man is a “dream” target for the Nuggets this offseason, as explained by Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey.
Bailey stated in a May 22 piece, “Kelly Olynyk is obviously another big man, but he’s stylistically a lot closer to Jokić while also being a more reliable three-point shooter.” “Playmaking, his range, and his defensive positioning at least would make the Nuggets’ second unit far more dynamic.”
Bailey then outlined how the Nuggets could work out a trade for Olynyk.
It would take a trade to acquire him because he signed an extension with the Raptors after being traded there during the previous season, but perhaps Zeke Nnaji, salary filler, and some draft capital could be sufficient to tempt the struggling Raptors.
Over the next two seasons, Olynyk’s new agreement is valued at $26 million. He has participated in several conference finals with the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat since joining the NBA in 2013. Olynyk demonstrated his depth of postseason experience by going on to participate in the NBA Finals in 2020 with the latter. It so happens that since his final season in Miami, he has missed out on the playoffs.
In his 11 years in the NBA, Olynyk has proven himself as a stretch big, shooting 36.9% from three for his career.
How a Kelly Olynyk-Nuggets Trade Gets Tricky
The Nuggets project to enter the NBA’s second tax apron this coming offseason. Doing so comes with certain caveats that will not be easy to overcome if they want to add to their team.
Being a second tax apron team prevents the Nuggets from aggregating contracts to trade for a player. Olynyk will get $12.8 million for the season 2024–2025. They don’t have anyone who makes that kind of money to match them outside of their starting five. The Nuggets won’t be subject to that restriction, though, if they are able to drop enough to merely be in the first tax bracket in the league.
What the Nuggets want to do with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is another puzzle. For the Nuggets, he has flourished in his role, which contributed to their 2023 championship victory. He will probably choose not to exercise his player option.
The Nuggets have little chance of making it below the league’s first tax since keeping him will probably be expensive.
Michael Porter Jr. Trade Could Help Kelly Olynyk Trade
After the Minnesota Timberwolves ended their season, The Denver Gazette’s Mike Kizla explained why he thinks the Nuggets should trade Michael Porter Jr.
In a report published on May 20, Kizla stated, “A far bigger change is demanded to return this team to legit championship contention in a Western Conference that will only be tougher next season.” “Trading Porter, who vanished against Minnesota when the team needed him most—missing nine out of a dozen shots in Game 7 and finishing with nine points—will allow the Nuggets to realign their roster.”
The Nuggets may potentially acquire Olynyk back in a blockbuster package if they trade Porter Jr. But the Nuggets would need to reclaim more ground than Olynyk. In light of their thin roster, such a trade could be worthwhile.
