Kelly Olynyk Nears the End of the Road - And in Cleveland, the Memories Still Sting
Kelly Olynyk’s NBA journey has always been a bit unconventional. Never the most athletic guy on the floor, never the most physically imposing, but always finding a way to stick around. Now in his 12th season and on his eighth team, the veteran big man is seeing his role shrink - and in Cleveland, there’s a certain segment of fans who won’t be shedding any tears.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Olynyk first earned his NBA stripes with the Boston Celtics, where he developed a reputation as a stretch-big who could knock down threes and provide smart, physical play. But for Cavs fans, his name is etched into the darker corners of franchise memory - and it all goes back to a single playoff moment.
During a heated postseason battle with the LeBron-led Cavaliers, Olynyk got tangled up with Kevin Love while fighting for a rebound. The result?
A dislocated shoulder, torn ligaments, and the end of Love’s postseason. Cleveland would go on to lose to the Golden State Warriors in the Finals that year, and for many fans, the blame landed squarely on Olynyk.
Fair or not, that moment cemented his place in Cavaliers lore - and not in a good way.
Since then, Olynyk has worn a lot of jerseys - from Miami to Houston, Detroit to Utah - and now finds himself in San Antonio, backing up Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet. The idea was that his floor spacing could complement the Spurs’ frontcourt, giving them a versatile three-big rotation. But that vision hasn’t materialized.
Olynyk’s shooting - long considered his calling card - has taken a nosedive. A career 36.9% shooter from beyond the arc, he’s hit just 25% of his threes this season.
He’s made only nine triples on 36 attempts. That’s a steep drop for a player whose offensive value is built around his ability to stretch the floor.
And defensively, the issues are even more glaring. Never known as a rim protector or agile defender, Olynyk has struggled mightily when asked to anchor units without Wembanyama or Kornet.
Opponents have been attacking the paint with ease when he’s on the floor.
The numbers tell the story. In his most recent outing, Olynyk logged 10 minutes, missed his only three-point attempt, and finished with a -15 plus-minus - in a game the Spurs won by 18. He’s largely out of the rotation at this point, only seeing the floor because of Wembanyama’s minutes restriction.
It’s a tough spot for any veteran to be in. Olynyk has made a career out of maximizing his strengths - intelligence, preparation, and effort - even as his physical tools were never elite.
That kind of longevity is rare in the league, especially for a player who’s never been a star. But Father Time is undefeated, and right now, it looks like Olynyk is running out of answers.
In Cleveland, there’s no love lost. Even though the Cavs bounced back to win the championship the following season, and Kevin Love went on to play a key role in that title run, the memory of 2015 still lingers. For many fans, Olynyk is the face of what could have been - the guy who derailed a title shot.
Now, as his minutes dwindle and his impact fades, it’s fair to wonder whether this is the final chapter of Kelly Olynyk’s NBA career. If it is, he leaves behind a complicated legacy - a journeyman who carved out a long career through skill and savvy, but who, in one city at least, will always be remembered for one costly moment.