Raptors Future Plans For Kelly Olynyk Revealed

It's another great 'Hometown kid makes triumphant return' type of story for the Toronto Raptors. Their somewhat under-the-radar trade at the deadline to bring backup center Kelly Olynyk to his city of birth has been nothing but successful.

So much so, that word is out that the Raptors are already working on a contract extension for the impending free agent, and hope to have a deal done soon.

Talked about this on the pre-game show. Lot's of optimism about extension, timing TBD, but I don't see it lingering too long, per sources. If I had to guess, maybe something like a two-year deal (can't be longer as KO was acquired by trade) in the ball park of $25 million. https://t.co/qN13U4mwNW

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) February 29, 2024

Raptors beat writers Doug Smith and Michael Grange are both in agreement that a new deal for KO will be done sooner than later. Grange suggests it could be somewhere in the range of two years, $25 million. 

Olynyk, 32, is coming off a three-year, $37 million deal, so this extension could fall right in line with that at just about the same AAV of $12.5 million.

It hasn't taken long for Olynyk to make his presence felt in the Raptors second unit. He's been an initiator of offense…

Kelly Olynyk, the initiator. Calls for RJ Barrett to screen for Agbaji, sees the overplay, backdoor cut and a nice lob. pic.twitter.com/wg6JD2S7fT

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) February 27, 2024

Kelly Olynyk has 8 assists over the last 4.5 quarters - 3 to Gradey Dick, 3 to Bruce Brown and 2 to Ochai Agbaji. Well suited for his role as a "connector" with this young 2nd unit. Very fun group and he's the lynchpin of it.

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) February 27, 2024

...As well as a shotmaker... 

Kelly Olynyk banks it off the glass for the clutch two! 🪟 pic.twitter.com/B6jq6LvYG8

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 24, 2024

The Raptors are the 6th team for Olynyk, now in his 11th NBA season. He was a first-round pick of the Dallas Mavericks in the 2013 NBA draft (No. 13 overall). In 735 career games, he's averaged 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 37% from beyond the arc. He's averaged about 22 minutes a night throughout his career.

Photo: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports