The 76ers still have one roster spot sitting there, and if they want to annoy Boston again, Kelly Olynyk is a clean way to do it.
Philadelphia already set off Celtics fans with a blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown, and now the team has another former Boston big man available in free agency. Olynyk remains unsigned, and while the rumor mill around him has been quiet, he still fits the kind of late move the 76ers could make once they decide to fill that last opening.
There’s no urgency here. Philadelphia may be in a better spot to address the spot in the middle of the season than right now, and the front office clearly isn’t rushing just to make a move. Still, Olynyk makes enough basketball sense to stay on the radar.
The 13-year veteran’s best stretch came in Boston from 2013 to 2017, when he was part of the Celtics’ rise back into perennial playoff relevance. He helped stabilize the second unit and was Brad Stevens’ preferred bench option when the team needed more production from its bigs.
Last season, Olynyk played for the San Antonio Spurs, but his path to minutes was crowded from the start with Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet already handling the center spot. An early injury didn’t help either, though he now heads into the next season with a full summer behind him.
At 35, Olynyk is not the kind of defender who covers up problems on that end. His lack of foot speed and athleticism makes him a liability there.
But offensively, he still brings real value. Philadelphia already has several traditional bigs, yet Olynyk would add something different.
He’s a career 37 percent three-point shooter, a capable passer for his position, and someone who doesn’t turn the ball over often. In the high and low post, he’s smooth, and he’s comfortable acting as a playmaking hub who can find cutters and shooters. For a 7-foot big, that kind of skill set stands out.
He isn’t a must-have piece, but he would give the 76ers more ways to build lineups and more flexibility for the coaching staff. If Philadelphia eventually uses that final roster spot, Olynyk would be a sensible name to watch.
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