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Kelly Olynyk Shares Heartfelt Goodbye Message To Toronto

Originally posted on Raptors Nation | By Matthew Valento | Last updated Feb 8, 2025 11:01 PM ET

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone the Toronto Raptors ultimately decided to make a move.

A bit of risky one by trading with the New Orleans Pelicans for Brandon Ingram. Due to Ingram needing a new contract and having yet to play more than 65 games since his rookie season.

The Raptors ultimately decided to part ways with Kelly Olynyk and Bruce Brown in this deal in terms of players. After being traded to Toronto and home country of Canada last February, Olynyk is on the move again.

To move away from home must have been tough and with that he posted a heart felt message to Raptors fans on his Instagram after the trade became official.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kelly Olynyk (@kellyolynyk)

It stings to see a Canadian leave, but the Raptors saw an opportunity to excel their rebuild and took it.

Olynyk struggled to stay healthy this season due to dealing with a back strain and missing a considerable amount of time. He only suited up in 24 games this year and put up decent counting stats.

The veteran center averaged 7.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 50 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from 3-point range. Now, he goes to a Pelicans team that sits at the bottom of the Western Conference.

It would not be surprising to see New Orleans try and move Olynyk again this summer due to having another year on his contract. However, he can prove to be a positive piece to their center rotation, perhaps he sticks around.

At the end of the day, 6’11” center is 33-years-old and is going to prioritize playing meaningful basketball as the end of his career nears.

Hopefully, Olynyk is able to get that chance with the Pelicans or elsewhere.

Warriors eyed Kelly Olynyk

Despite age concerns, Kelly Olynyk could provide meaningful minutes as a backup big. With that, teams have kept tabs on him before and during his time with the Raptors.

One team being the Golden State Warriors, who ‘eyed’ Olynyk leading up to the trade deadline.

This article first appeared on Raptors Nation and was syndicated with permission.

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