It would also make perfect sense for the Celtics to go after an accomplished guard like Jordan Clarkson who is used to playing as a sixth man if the Jazz decide to sell at the trade deadline. Despite having started for the Jazz this season, Clarkson is the scoring threat Boston has been lacking on their bench. He was named the 2020–21 Sixth Man of the Year. On the other hand, the Celtics are limited in their ability to acquire new players for their squad. Not to add that Olynyk is only getting $12.2 million, and Clarkson’s $23.4 million deal for this season would be too much to bear.

 

With one of the biggest payrolls in the league right now, the Celtics have already invested heavily in the summer, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. However, Stevens has continued to have an aggressive approach, sending a message to the rest of the league that the Celtics will not let money go in the way of their pursuit of additional players with championship potential, like Olynyk.

Of course, the Celtics would still have to overcome certain challenges to stand a chance of chasing Olynyk. In particular, they would have to let go of a valuable bench player.

How Celtics can pursue Kelly Olynyk 

With one of the biggest payrolls in the league right now, the Celtics have already invested heavily in the summer, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. However, Stevens has continued to have an aggressive approach, sending a message to the rest of the league that the Celtics will not let money go in the way of their pursuit of additional players with championship potential, like Olynyk.

Of course, the Celtics would still have to overcome certain challenges to stand a chance of chasing Olynyk. In particular, they would have to let go of a valuable bench player.

The Celtics would need to try their hardest to match Olynyk’s projected $12.2 million contract in order to pursue him in a trade. Technically, the deal may be completed with a package that includes Payton Pritchard, Luke Kornet, Oshae Brissett, another modest contract, and draft selections; however, why would the Jazz take this chance?

Utah would not be able to utilise Kornet, Brissett, or any other player on a minimum deal. However, there is some curiosity around Pritchard, particularly given that Danny Ainge was the one who picked him and is now well-known within the Jazz front office. From the Celtics’ perspective, there aren’t many benefits to trading three or four guys and draft picks for an additional big man on the bench. This move would immediately force the Celtics to spend even more money by adding minimum contract players for the rest of the year.

The Jazz may be interested in Pritchard, but this situation is almost identical to what you would see in NBA 2K.

The situation that the Celtics actually have to consider when deciding how to go after Olynyk is one that affects Al Horford. The only true way the Celtics could make this deal with the Jazz possible is if he signed a $10 million contract this season. Boston would financially benefit from trading Horford and one of their players for a minimum contract, but the Jazz would probably want more because Horford still has a $9.5 million commitment for the next season.

From here, it’s just speculation as to whether the Jazz would want to acquire Olynyk for a first-round selection, two second-round picks, or someone similar to Pritchard in addition to Horford. It’s also possible that a different team will get involved to help close the deal and sign Horford.

There isn’t much the Celtics can do to try to get Olynyk from the Jazz, no matter what happens. Almost all plausible scenarios call for Horford to be benched, a decision that may ultimately disrupt this team’s chemistry considering the veteran’s background as a leader. Additionally, Horford is still a potent player on the court, particularly when guarding players like Joel

The Celtics would have almost everything they needed to win their 18th title if they were to add Olynyk to their rotation right now without having to move Horford. In the frontcourt, Boston would have alternatives that can play both inside and outside, including Porzingis, Horford, and Olynyk. Holiday and Derrick White would run the backcourt, Tatum and Brown would provide all the scoring Boston needs on the wings.

It’s not a bad notion to replace Horford with Olynyk, especially because the Jazz big man shoots the ball better from a distance than Horford. Horford is a better rebounder and defender than Olynyk, who is a superior shooter.

The Celtics would have to decide which qualities better fit them on their championship quest because this is essentially a balancing scale. Undoubtedly, Olynyk would improve their squad, but would he do it at Horford’s expense?

This front staff and Stevens still have a $6.2 million player exemption available for use this season. The Celtics are far more likely to take a look at someone in this wage bracket than at someone like Olynyk, who would force the team to go with at least one of its main players.