The Wizards traded Olynyk (heel) to the Spurs for Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley and a 2026 second-round pick on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Olynyk is on the move once again, having been traded to the Wizards from the Pelicans on June 24 as part of a deal that sent Jordan Poole (elbow) to New Orleans and CJ McCollum (foot) to Washington. The veteran center underwent left heel surgery in late April but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025-26 campaign, which marks the final year of his contract. Olynyk appeared in 44 regular-season games last season between the Raptors and Pelicans, averaging 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
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Wizards' Kelly Olynyk: Traded to Washington
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The Pelicans traded Olynyk (heel), CJ McCollum (foot) and a future second-round pick to the Wizards on Tuesday in exchange for Jordan Poole (elbow), Saddiq Bey (knee) and the No. 40 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
Olynyk recently underwent a minimally invasive surgery on his left heel and ultrasound-guided tendon debridement in late April, but he's expected to be ready in time for Opening Night. Olynyk, who is entering the final year of his contract, could be a key rotation piece for the Wizards early on, but you have to wonder if he could be flipped again down the road. The veteran big man made 44 total regular-season appearances between the Raptors and Pelicans last season, posting averages of 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Undergoes heel surgery
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The Pelicans announced Monday that Olynyk recently underwent a minimally invasive surgery on his left heel and ultrasound-guided tendon debridement.
Olynyk missed the final three games of the regular season with what was described as left Achilles tendinitis, so this surgery was likely to address that. Olynyk faces a recovery timetable of 3-4 months, so his status for Opening Night in 2025-26 shouldn't be in doubt. Olynyk, who is entering the final year of his contract, averaged 10.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.9 steals per game in his 20 appearances with the Pelicans after he was acquired via trade with Toronto.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Out for Sunday
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Olynyk (Achilles) is out for Sunday's game against the Thunder.
Olynyk will end the season on the sidelines since he'll miss a third straight game with left Achilles tendinitis. The Pelicans were eliminated from playoff contention a while ago, so there's no point in risking the veteran forward. Olynyk ends the season with averages of 10.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.9 steals per game in his 20 starts with New Orleans since being traded from Toronto midway through the season.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Out again Friday
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Olynyk (Achlles) will not play Friday against the Heat.
Olynyk will miss a second straight contest, and it's unclear if he'll be able to play in the final game of the season Sunday against the Thunder. Karlo Matkovic (hamstring) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl could pick up the slack in the meantime.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Won't play vs. Milwaukee
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Olynyk (Achilles) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bucks.
After a forgettable eight-point performance in Tuesday's loss to the Nets, Olynyk will be on the shelf for Thursday's game in Milwaukee due to an Achilles issue. The Pelicans will likely turn to Karlo Matkovic and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to help pick up the slack in the frontcourt.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Good to go Tuesday
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Olynyk (Achilles) is available for Tuesday's game against the Nets.
Left Achilles tendinosis won't stop Olynyk from suiting up Tuesday, and the veteran big man will be returning from a one-game absence Sunday against the Bucks. Olynyk has been a steady contributor over his last 10 appearances (all starts), during which he's averaged 11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks in 25.8 minutes while shooting 55.3 percent from the floor.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Questionable for Tuesday
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Olynyk is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Nets due to left Achilles tendonosis.
The veteran big man sat out Sunday's game against the Bucks for rest purposes, but he's now in danger of missing Tuesday's contest with an Achilles issue. Keion Brooks would likely draw the start at power forward against Brooklyn if Olynyk remains out, with Karlo Matkovic likely splitting the frontcourt reserve minutes with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl in this case.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Available Sunday
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Olynyk (Achilles) is available for Sunday's game against the Hornets.
Olynyk will shake off a questionable tag due to left Achilles tendonosis and suit up Sunday. The veteran big man has played in seven consecutive games (all starts), averaging 10.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals across 27.3 minutes per contest.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Iffy for Sunday
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Olynyk is questionable for Sunday's game against Charlotte with left Achilles tendonosis.
The Pelicans tend to be pretty cautious with their veteran players so that a maintenance day could be on the table here. If Olynyk is held out Sunday, guys like Karlo Matkovic and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl could step into larger roles.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Teases triple-double Monday
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Olynyk recorded 14 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals over 30 minutes during Monday's 112-99 victory over the 76ers.
The veteran center came within shouting distance of his first career triple-double but instead had to settle for his second double-double of the season. Olynyk's three pilfers were also a season-high mark. In six contests since returning from a two-game absence to attend to a personal matter, he's averaged 11.7 points, 5.3 boards, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 threes and 0.7 blocks while shooting 64.4 percent from the floor.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Decent stat line Friday
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Olynyk ended with 10 points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, four assists and one steal across 22 minutes during Friday's 134-93 loss to the Timberwolves.
Olynyk didn't miss a single shot from the field in this game and posted decent contributions in peripheral categories, but he didn't see a lot of time due to the score. Olynyk isn't expected to carry the Pelicans on offense in any given game, but the veteran, who regularly finds a way to stuff the stat sheet, should remain valuable in fantasy as long as he remains in a starting role.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Cleared to play Monday
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Olynyk (finger) is available for Monday's game against the Pistons.
Olynyk popped up on Sunday's injury report due to a left finger sprain, but the issue isn't severe enough for him to miss Monday's game. He's coming off a well-rounded game against the Spurs on Saturday, finishing with 14 points, seven assists, six rebounds and one steal over 31 minutes.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Excels in spot start
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Olynyk accumulated 14 points (7-12 FG), six rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Saturday's 119-115 loss to the Spurs.
Olynyk filled in for Zion Williamson (personal) and posted a solid stat line. The veteran big man has occasionally popped with impressive totals since joining the Pelicans, but the standout performances have been limited to spot starts and cleanup work. Although the Pelicans were forced to part with Brandon Ingram in the trade that netted Olynyk, New Orleans also received two draft picks from the Raptors and appears to have gotten the better half of the deal. Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic and Mo Bamba are above Olynyk on the depth chart at center, but the latter remains very capable of manning the four as he did during Saturday's loss.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Starting Saturday vs. SAS
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Olynyk is in the Pelicans' starting lineup against the Spurs on Saturday.
Olynyk missed the Pelicans' last two games while attending to a personal matter, but he'll return Saturday and enter the starting lineup for Zion Williamson (personal). Olynyk has averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists over 25.2 minutes per game since the All-Star break.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Set to play against San Antonio
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Olynyk (personal) is available for Saturday's game versus the Spurs.
Olynyk will return to action Thursday after missing New Orleans' previous two contests due to personal reasons. Olynyk has started in his last 10 appearances and averaged 10.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 25.2 minutes during that span.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Ruled out for Thursday
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Olynyk (personal) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Magic.
Olynyk will miss a second straight game for the Pelicans for personal reasons. The next opportunity for the veteran big man to get back on the floor for New Orleans will be Saturday against the Spurs.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Not playing Tuesday
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Olynyk (rest) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Clippers.
Olynyk has started in eight of the Pelicans' last nine games and has averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists over 25.2 minutes per game over that span. He'll observe Tuesday's game from the sidelines and should be back on the floor for Thursday's bout against Orlando. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Karlo Matkovic should see an uptick in playing time Tuesday due to Olynyk's absence.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Fails to score in loss
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Olynyk provided zero points (0-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), six rebounds, six assists and two blocks across 22 minutes during Saturday's 146-117 loss to the Rockets.
Olynyk failed to score for the first time since arriving in New Orleans. Although he has been able to carve out a starting role for his new team, he typically plays no more than about 25 minutes on any given night. He is yet to play in both games of a back-to-back set for the Pelicans, meaning there is a chance he sits out against the Grizzlies on Sunday.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Puts up another gem
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Olynyk closed Sunday's 128-121 victory over the Jazz with 26 points (10-14 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 3-5 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and one steal over 26 minutes.
Olynyk is making quite the impact with his new team, and there's no reason he can't keep it going with the amount of injuries in New Orleans. Over his last four outings, Olynyk has earned a long look in fantasy formats with averages of 14.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 1.3 three-pointers in 25.2 minutes.
