Kelly Olynyklooks on during the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden on December 18, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo : Getty Images/Maddie Meyer)
The Boston Celtics have been linked with many trade rumors this offseason but the team decided to stay put. However, the latest speculations imply that the Celtics will be active at the trade deadline in February and one possible deal is sending Kelly Olynyk to the Toronto Raptors.
Boston was rumored to be on the hunt for a third superstar and some of their targets include Blake Griffin, Kevin Love and DeMarcus Cousins. Nothing has come to reality even trades for solid players such as Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor.
According to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England, the current Celtics roster is good enough to make a really big push in the playoffs. But he opined that the team can still make improvements via the trade market.
Blakely mentioned players such as All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas and versatile defensive swingman Jae Crowder as possible trade chips for stars such as Jimmy Butler. However, they are both on bargain deals and it would be foolish for the Celtics to trade them even for an All-Star.
However, one player that could possibly be traded is stretch big man Kelly Olynyk, who is coming off shoulder surgery. He is still not cleared to play but he is expected to be available at the start of the regular season.
One of the possible teams that could inquire about Olynyk is his hometown team Raptors. The 25-year-old is from Toronto and the team is in need of a player of his skill set. The Raptors need a stretch four and Olynyk seems to be a perfect fit with the team.
The Gonzaga product stretches the floor while Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan slash to the basket. He has proven that he can play in the NBA and he has the potential to be a really good player. However, he needs to be more consistent on both offense and defense.
A trade approved by the ESPN Trade Machine has the Raptors sending Lucas Nogueira and Delon Wright to the Celtics for Olynyk. Toronto can also add a draft pick to sweeten the deal. It seems odd the Boston would want another point guard but Marcus Smart has been linked with a trade for Nerlens Noel.
Wright provides depth at the point guard position while Nogueira is decent backup big man. Nevertheless, these are just rumors at the moment and nothing has been made official by both teams. Check out the video below for the highlights of one of Olynyk's best games last season.
