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Gonzaga Legend Set to Join Eighth NBA Team After Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andy Patton | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 6:24 PM ET

Former Gonzaga basketball star Kelly Olynyk was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, the fifth time he's been dealt in his career and the second time in the last five months.

Olynyk was moved alongside guard CJ McCollum and a future second round pick to Washington, with the Wizards sending guard Jordan Poole, forward Saddiq Bey, and their second round pick (No. 40 overall) in this year's draft to the Pelicans.

Olynyk's New Orleans career spanned just 20 games, with the 34-year-old big man posting averages of 10.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in The Big Easy while shooting 38.9% from three.

He originally joined the Pelicans in a trade deadline deal from Toronto, who used his salary to acquire All-Star wing Brandon Ingram.

The New Orleans Pelicans are trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025

Olynyk began his NBA career back in 2013-14 with the Boston Celtics, who took him with the No. 13 overall pick in the NBA draft.

He spent four years in Boston before signing with Miami in free agency, where he picked up votes as Sixth Man of the Year in 2017-18 and helped lead the Heat to an NBA Finals appearance in 2020.

The 7'0 big man became a nomad after that, getting flipped by Miami to Houston in March of 2021. He was lights out for the Rockets, averaging 19 points and 8.4 rebounds in 27 games before signing with the Detroit Pistons in the offseason.

The Pistons then flipped him to the Jazz, who held him for 1.5 seasons before sending him to Toronto in February of 2024. Almost exactly one year later, and after having signed an extension with his hometown team, Olynyk was traded to New Orleans.

Olynyk has played 800 career NBA games across 12 seasons, with averages of 10.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 22.5 minutes. He's a career 37.1% shooter from three and his veteran presence and floor spacing ability make him a valuable commodity entering his age 34 season.

Assuming Washington holds onto him, Olynyk will be tasked with helping in the development of big man Alex Sarr, last year's No. 2 overall pick, and could be used as a trade bait once again in February ahead of the trade deadline.

Olynyk was an All-American at Gonzaga in the 2012-13 season, averaging 17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds while leading the Zags to their first No. 1 overall ranking in program history.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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