Kelly Olynyk trade grades: Who won the trade between the Jazz and Raptors?
Raptors #Raptors
So I think it’s clear what the Raptors are trying to do here. Toronto wants to build a solid team around Scottie Barnes and try to compete moving forward.
I just don’t know if they’re going about it in the best way.
Olynyk is certainly a solid frontcourt partner to play with. He’ll be the backup center for the Raptors behind Jakob Poeltl and is a good floor spacer and crafty offensive option to have next to Scottie Barnes. He’ll enter free agency this offseason, though, so the Raptors will have to work to retain him. He’ll certainly have a market.
Ochai Agbaji is a solid get, too. He’s a former lottery pick who didn’t really pan out in Utah but could still find his footing in Toronto.
I just don’t know if this package was worth giving up a first-round pick for —even if it was going to fall toward the back of the draft considering the protections on it.
GRADE: C+