The Toronto Raptors are almost certainly rebuilding after trading away Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby this season, but it didn’t prevent them from deciding to extend a veteran player.
One of the trades they made prior to the deadline this season brought them big man Kelly Olynyk and second-year wing Ochai Agbaji for Otto Porter Jr., Kira Lewis Jr., and a 2024 first-round draft pick.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski, Olynyk has agreed to a two-year extension to remain in Toronto past this season.
Toronto Raptors center Kelly Olynyk has agreed on a two-year, $26.25 million contract extension, Jeff Schwartz of @excelbasketball tells ESPN. Deal is the max that Olynyk was able to extend on. pic.twitter.com/KjFBVsI15u
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 4, 2024
Olynyk plays mostly the center position these days, and he has long had a reputation as a decent rebounder and dependable 3-point shooter.
In nine games with the Raptors, he hasn’t displayed his 3-point marksmanship yet, but he is averaging 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 steals in 20.7 minutes a game.
He has been to the playoffs five times, which includes two Eastern Conference Finals appearances and a trip to the NBA Finals in 2020.
The Raptors are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference and have virtually no chance of reaching the play-in tournament, given the changes they made several weeks ago.
Scottie Barnes, who is arguably their best player now, suffered a fracture in his left hand on Friday, and he will be out indefinitely.
He is the one player Toronto has pinned their future hopes on more than any other, as he has shown plenty of growth in his three pro seasons and could be headed for an All-Star berth in the near future.
NEXT: Fans React To Scottie Barnes News