John Collins on Dealing with KD Following Suns Raptors Loss Saying Farewell to Jazz in a Heartfelt Thank You Post, Kelly Olynyk
Following last week’s transaction, the newly moved big man for the Utah Jazz had some nice things to say to the supporters.
During the NBA trade deadline this past week, Kelly Olynyk, a fan favorite, was sent off to the Toronto Raptors along with Ochai Agbaji, thereby changing the lineup for the second half of the 2023–24 season.
Undoubtedly, letting go of the 11-year veteran was a tough choice, considering how important he was to the Jazz’s second unit and locker room. In 50 games this season, he played for Utah, where he averaged 5.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 8.1 points on fairly efficient shooting splits (56.2/42.9/84.2).
Following the agreement, Olynyk took to his Twitter/X account on Tuesday to express his gratitude to the Jazz organization and supporters for the last year and a half of his tenure with the team:
“It’s really something amazing to play in Utah. I am appreciative that you welcomed me with open arms, since the supporters in the Delta Center are among the most ardent in the league. I have had the good fortune to perform for a top-tier company my whole career, and my time with the Jazz has left a lasting impression.
At the end of this season, Olynyk was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, giving him the freedom to sign with any team. Consequently, the executive staff decided to send him back to his native nation in exchange for two players who were about to expire—Otto Porter Jr. and Kira Lewis Jr.—as well as a projected late first-round pick for the 2024 campaign.
Deals with deadlines are seldom easy, and this one was no different. The objective for this team is to win an NBA championship, not simply make it to the Play-In round. Even if Olynyk and Agbaji’s departure from SLC is difficult to accept, the decision is one that should improve the team’s long-term prospects.
