Anthony Davis is without a doubt one of the most dominant players in the NBA. When Davis is healthy, the Los Angeles Lakers are a completely different basketball club, and they can be a nightmare to play in a playoff series.
Davis is undoubtedly on the outside looking in when it comes to being a top-10 player in the NBA because of how loaded the league is. However, in a playoff series, it may be easier to game plan against someone like Luka Doncic than it is to game plan against AD. Especially when you have to contend with LeBron James.
The Lakers haven’t figured out how to combine Davis with another big man since the 2020 championship season. The Lakers only needed a rim protector in 2020 to rough up Nikola Jokic in the Western Conference Finals. Dwight Howard was exactly that.
However, the center position has been a revolving door since then, and that revolving door is likely to continue since Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes are not good fits. Rob Pelinka and the front staff must keep looking for the perfect big man to pair with Anthony Davis.
On the trade market, the Lakers have found the ideal running mate for Anthony Davis.
On paper, the ideal running back for Davis is someone who can space the field offensively (like Wood) but isn’t a complete zero on defense (like Hayes). If the Lakers’ current two centers could be combined, they could have something remarkable.
On the trade market, however, Los Angeles can come close. The Utah Jazz are planning to sell off their trade assets, which opens up an intriguing opportunity for Los Angeles. On the following pages, we will dissect the transaction that netted AD a running mate and assign grades to both sides.
Los Angeles Lakers trade package for Kelly Olynyk:
Kelly Olynyk is the big man who, on paper, appears to be the ideal frontcourt running companion for Anthony Davis. Olynyk would only get about 20 minutes of action in this Lakers’ rotation, but those 20 minutes might be very valuable. Despite the possibly excellent fit, the pricing will be reasonable.
Olynyk’s contract is coming to an end, so the Utah Jazz won’t be able to get much for him. Furthermore, while he would be a fantastic scheme fit next to AD, there is likely not a large list of teams willing to trade for Olynyk, allowing the Lakers to get it done cheaply.
Los Angeles can arrive to the right compensation figure by combining Prince and Hayes. Those two have little real value for the Lakers, who would need to include a second-round pick as well as a second-round pick swap to complete the trade.
Olynyk would immediately fit in as someone who could play with Davis, especially while LeBron James is on the bench. The veteran big man can clearly span the floor (43.2% three-point rate this season) and is still a capable rebounder.
With Davis prowling in the frontcourt, Olynyk does not provide much of a shot-blocking presence at his stature. While he is not a prominent shot-blocker, he is an average-at-best defender who would not be as big of a defensive void as Wood.
These are the most likely terms of an Olynyk trade, but how would it fare for both the Lakers and the Jazz?
Los Angeles Lakers grade for Kelly Olynyk trade: B+
This is comparable to the Rui Hachimura trade from last season in that the Lakers would be trading draft picks for a player who can make a significant difference. Olynyk, like Hachimura, has the ability to take over a few quarters in a playoff game and swing an entire series.
Olynyk differs from Hachimura in that he is not young and hence may not be a long-term element. Despite being on an expiring contract, Olynyk might be a crucial rotation player for another season or two once his contract ends. If he performs well in his capacity with the Lakers, the organization may absolutely bring him back because he is not going to sign a long-term contract.
It may not be the headline-grabbing move that some fans want to see before the trade deadline this season, but it would be a wise move that benefits the team. The main question is what the squad will do at the wing without Prince if more injuries occur. The Lakers should be alright with Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and even Max Christie.
Utah Jazz grade for Kelly Olynyk trade: C
In Utah, this is one of those trades that is quickly forgotten. There are several more significant assets for Utah to transfer before the deadline, and those are the moves that the front office will prioritize.
Trading for Olynyk is essentially a matter of receiving something for nothing. There is no compelling reason for the Jazz to keep the veteran big man if he is free to leave. It makes sense if the team can receive a second-round pick as well as a trade.
This is hardly going to impact the Jazz organization’s future, but it is an example of wise asset management. Furthermore, it would save ownership money because the Jazz would be taking on less money in the purchase.
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