5 Raptors who are playing for their future in Toronto

3. Kelly Olynyk

Masai Ujiri and the Raptors made one of the more head-scratching trades before the deadline when they acquired Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji from the Jazz for Otto Porter Jr., Kira Lewis Jr., and a 2024 first-round draft pick. Toronto gave up a late first in a questionable draft for a 2022 lottery selection and a veteran big man with a versatile skill set.

Olynyk is from Canada and is in the final year of his contract making $12.1 million. The Raptors are not contending, so adding a 32-year-old veteran in the deal likely means Toronto has long-term interest. He will likely be looking for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception in free agency, and the Raptors would love to keep a floor-spacing five with playmaking ability.

Olynyk played just three games with Toronto before the All-Star break and a back injury limited him to just seven minutes in the final contest. He should not be out long and is ready to prove he is a long-term fit with the Raptors.

Olynyk averaged 14.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.0 steals in 21.7 minutes per game in his first two contests. If he can produce like that down the stretch, Toronto will be eager to sign him long-term. The 6’11 big man offers the franchise a different dimension, but the two sides must agree on a new deal.