With the NBA Finals getting close to wrapping up between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, that means the madness of the NBA offseason is almost here. The Memphis Grizzlies started the party early by trading Desmond Bane to Orlando, but once the Finals conclude things are only going to get crazier.
This is an important summer for the Pelicans, now under new front office leadership in Joe Dumars, who will be looking to lay a foundation for years to come in New Orleans. With reports suggesting no player is untouchable and the Pelicans aiming to trade up from the No. 7 pick in this year’s draft, it remains unclear whether they will commit to a full rebuild or try to build a contender for next season.
No matter which direction Dumars chooses, one thing is certain: Kelly Olynyk should be on the Pelicans’ roster to start the 2025-26 season.
Why Kelly Olynyk matters for the Pelicans
Olynyk was acquired from the Toronto Raptors at the 2025 trade deadline as part of the Brandon Ingram trade. Olynyk averaged 10.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in 20 games after the deadline for New Orleans.
The 34-year-old big man has spent 12 years in the NBA building a reputation as one of the NBA's better stretch bigs, being a career 37.1% three-point shooter in his 800 games. But Olynyk is much more than just a stretch big, he is a solid playmaker, a grossly underrated defender and the type of veteran this team needs.
Looking at his playmaking, Kelly is a quality passer, which is all you're looking for from a backup big expected to play no more than 20 minutes per game. He makes the extra pass more often than not and even operates as a hub from the nail from time to time. Granted, most of Kelly's time playing for the Pels last season was when they were already down for the count, but the 3.6 assists he averaged per game shouldn't be discredited.
From a defensive standpoint, Olynyk has always been underrated. He isn't a monster athlete, but he doesn't have to be because of how fundamentally skilled he is defensively. Kelly is great at contesting shots and forcing offensive players into uncomfortable spots.
This is reflected in his advanced analytics. Though his 20-game stint with the Pelicans is a small sample size, Olynyk ranked in the 99th percentile for points allowed per 100 possessions at -10.8. While those stats are inflated, they display the type of defensive impact Olynyk has that traditional counting stats don't.
From a leadership perspective, Olynyk could bring a lot to the Pelicans' core that hasn't really experienced the playoffs. Kelly has been to the postseason five times and was crucial in the Miami Heat making the NBA Finals in 2020. He isn't necessarily your typical vocal leader but more of a lead-by-example type, which this group could benefit from.
With Olynyk set to make around $13.4 million next season, it's been suggested the Pelicans would have to give up draft capital to offload his contract. So let me ask: why even trade him? You're telling me the Pelicans need to give up assets to get off the contract of a smart, productive, playoff-tested backup big? That would be just mismanagement.
Whether the Pelicans enter a full-scale rebuild or are looking to contend next season, Olynyk is the kind of high-impact veteran who fits any direction the Pelicans choose.