JULY 7, 3:19pm: The Heat have officially signed Olynyk, the team announced today in a press release.
“As soon as Kelly Olynyk became an unrestricted free agent, we pursued him,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement. “He is not only a post player, he can also play away from the basket. What we like the most is that he is a playmaker, tough defender and rugged rebounder. At just 26 years old, he fits in perfect with our young core that will play together in their primes.”
JULY 6, 6:45pm: The Heat have reached an agreement on a four-year contract with free agent center Kelly Olynyk, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that the deal is worth $50MM. Olynyk’s new deal will include a fourth-year player option, Wojnarowski adds (via Twitter).
Because the Celtics withdrew Olynyk’s qualifying offer earlier this week, he’s an unrestricted free agent and can sign outright with Miami. Boston needed to clear the big man’s cap hold from its books in order to help create enough space for Gordon Hayward‘s new maximum salary deal with the team. Until Olynyk’s QO was rescinded, he had been a restricted free agent, but becoming unrestricted helped accelerate his market.
Olynyk, 26, appeared in 75 regular season games for the Celtics last season, averaging 9.0 PPG and 4.8 RPG and once again showed off an ability to make an outside shot (.368 career 3PT%). His most memorable performance in Boston came in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Wizards, when he helped the C’s seal the series with a 26-point outburst.
By signing with the Heat, Olynyk will join a frontcourt that needed a little depth, given Willie Reed‘s free agency. Veteran power forward James Johnson also reached the open market over the weekend, but Olynyk’s deal won’t preclude a new agreement with Johnson, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel, who tweets that the team still intends to get something done with the unrestricted free agent.
Having now reached eight-figure deals with Olynyk and Dion Waiters, the Heat only have about $6MM in cap room left over, but could open up another $6MM+ by waiving Wayne Ellington‘s non-guaranteed contract and another $4MM or so by stretching Josh McRoberts‘ deal.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that the Mavericks and Heat have had discussions about a trade that would create more space for Miami, so it’s possible that Dallas is willing to take on McRoberts — Tyler Johnson would be the other logical trade candidate on the roster.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Thanks for everything Kel!
Heat Nation got a good one. He might actually develop into a Bosh light under Spoelstra. Thanks for everything Kelly!
In his dreams. Boh was an elite defender
His defense got A LOT better since he broke into the league though. He still has suspect defense, but it’s much better now. Olynyk’s biggest issue is foul trouble. If he can cut down on his fouling, he’s going to be a great fit in Miami.
I understand the optimism b/c you’re a celtics fan. It’s hard for you to see things like a fan favorite being arguably 1 game from having to head to Europe for a year or 2…Heat’s development coaches are amazing. Even if we still had Fizdale, no way Olynyk becomes a decent defender.
And even if he doesn’t become a decent defender, that’s okay. He sure as heck can’t be worse than McRoberts was in Miami. My point is this is a Spoelstra type of player and I think Olynyk is just going to keep getting better and better under him (especially offensively). He’s got to cut down on fouls though; it’s his Achilles heel. If he does that while improving, he’ll be a fantastic fit.
Mcroberts was injured. When he could actually play, he was useful. He is an exponentially better defender than Olynyk…I’d have still stretch provisioned him, but I’d rather keep him at his deal for a year than giving Olynyk this crazy contract
My biggest issue is this takes us out of the possible running for keeping Willie Reed. This move signals they have crazy faith in Adebayo to be Serge Ibaka/young Dwight right now, and that Whiteside will improve at defending pick and roll…
Ummm as a Heat fan… why!? Where does this leave JJ?
As not a heat fan, I would guess olynik comes off the bench.
What? Why?!? Nooooo. F&&&! Terrible deal for sooo many reasons. I don’t know what drugs Riley took today, but there were a lot of them apparently…we just threw away our money in a dude that shouldn’t get more than $5-7 million for a 1 year deal, at most. Guarantees Reed isn’t back. Guarantees Ellington isn’t back. Guarantees no Rudy Gay. And we might not even have enough for JJ now? What???? Danny Ainge laughing in Salt Lake City right now. Disgusting move by the Heat
Bosh just came off the books, heat have plenty of cash
Ummm….no. not enough to throw away 12.5 million on trash when we still have a need for a backup 5, keeping JJ, and grabbing a 3/4 that can help and/or keeping ellington
Pretty sure olynyk is the backup 5
Exactly
Well, at least JJ/Okaro can play small ball 5….*sigh*
If Riley took drugs that would probably kill the poor guy
I’ve never seen Pat Riley make this kind of a mistake before…I’d rather have McRoberts at that point…I just don’t understand. Obviously he can shoot, but he can’t defend. He doesn’t protect the rim. He doesn’t pick and roll defend. He cant post defend. He doesn’t rebound well either…
We let Dwyane Wade walk out the door to keep flexibility to throw it away on Kell Olynyk on a massive overpay? I’d arguably rather have Noah. That’s how bad this is…
And now there’s talk we’re talking to Dallas about moving salary, likely Tyler Johnson?? We move TJ to Dallas, that makes this somehow exponentially worse too. At this point, Heat shpuld just trade everyone. What a waste
No way Cuban takes Tyler Johnson, they’re taking mcbob
Well whatever. At least there’s that, but man…I just can’t believe this. I don’t usually react like this. But Pat Riley has never made a move that I couldnt understand from any viewpoint. It’s like the Marlins stepped in and did this for him
I’m not gonna act like I’m a heat fan, but there’s nothing wrong with a stretch 5 to come off the bench. They’re starting 5 is set and their rotation is too thru the next couple seasons. The free agent market is scarce next year. They’ve got their team let’s see what they can do.
Willie Reed was part of 4 of the Heat’s best 5 lineups last season….
Calm down. Riley and spo know way more about how he’ll fit and play than you… in Riley we trust
If you watched every single heat game like me you’d know that stat is bull and reed is average at best
Lol he finished games dude. Whiteside was benched several times for a reason. You’re saying Spo and Riley know better. Obviously I agree. And they knew to sit Whiteside b/c he doesn’t pick and roll defend or pay attention to details, and he is a ball stopper that is one of the least efficient post players in the league. Reed was part of our best lineups for a reason. He does all the thinges you want from a modern day 5. The tandem with him coming off the bench for Whiteside was one of our best advantages
I feel as if reed got greedy. He definitely isn’t going to get what he think he is or else they would have given him this contract.
This is the McRoberts deal we’ve been complaining about for 3 years. It’s the Meyers Leonard contract Portland is stuck with right now. It’s Channing Frye in Cleveland….like there is never going to be a moment where we can actually trade this guy to someone…this is a move the knicks or kings would make
It’s a few million too high but the guy can play.
Is 5-6 million per too high and 3 years too long
Kelly goatlynk is good
Boston needs some muscle up front
dang now I wonder where willie reed will head to. Kind of think even he stays it would have been a lose lose situation.
Tough rebounder and defender? Playmaker? Post player?
Is Riley talking about the same Kelly Olynyk?
Sometimes, you’ve gotta talk up the signing. Riles knows that
Point guard in high school spastic