Kelly Olynyk Needs to Improve this Offseason

Kelly Olynyk has an opportunity to break out for the Celtics this season

Shooting is not a concern with Kelly Olynyk but after the strides he made as a defender and with his shot fake last season, he needs to continue to improve if he wants to be a big part of the Boston Celtics‘ future plans. Olynyk is one of the only young and promising players in the Celtics’ front court, and he has done a solid job of progressing so far in his career. That being said, if he stays where he was last season, then he may never be anything more than an offensive spark off the bench.

Defense is going to be the number one priority for Olynyk. Shooting alone will take him places on the offensive end but he needs to prove that the days of being a defensive liability are behind him. Olynyk was a much improved defender last year with positive contributions. Unfortunately, he was a horrendous rebounder and did nothing to protect the paint. If teams are able to attack and take advantage of Olynyk, then he will not be doing enough on the defensive end to deserve more minutes.

Olynyk has some versatility and mobility, allowing him to guard players on the outside. Unfortunately, sound defense will only be enough to keep him as a solid role player for the Celtics. He needs to prove that he can continue to be a capable one on one defender, while doing more to contribute to one of the most productive defenses in the NBA.

The Celtics can feel great about where their back court defense is, and Horford alone gives them significant progress in the front court. The problem for Olynyk is that the only time the Celtics have started an offensive player in favor of a better defensive player is Isaiah Thomas, and his offensive impact expands far beyond just shooting.

If Olynyk stays exactly how he was on the defensive end last year, then he needs to prove that he can have a more dynamic impact on the offensive end. He is one of their most trusted shooters but his play making, for himself and his teammates, has been non-existent. Olynyk helps his teammates with the floor spacing he provides, but that is the extent of it.

Olynyk is good enough right now on the offensive end that if he can become a threat on the defensive end he can become one of the most important players on the team. He is also good enough on the defensive end right now that if he can become a more overall impactful offensive player he can also become one of the more important players on the team.

Right now, there is reason to be optimistic. With just three years of experience, Olynyk has done a great job of improving throughout. He has put the dire defensive struggles behind him, he developed a shot fake that helped expand his offensive game and he is coming off his best season as a shooter, by far.

Olynyk has steadily improved in his three years and if he can continue that trend this season, he could have a breakout season for the Celtics. Olynyk’s shooting is one of the most valuable offensive assets the Celtics have on their team and if he can bring more to the table then the Celtics will have one of the most dynamic and dangerous front courts in the NBA.

Olynyk has career averages of 9.6 points per game and 1.5 assists per game. Olynyk has been consistent, but has never done enough to have the kind of offensive impact that the one weaker defensive guard in Thomas has. Olynyk has been a willing passer and a knock down shooter, but he has been the beneficiary of a great ball movement team. The Celtics did a great job of generating open looks, and that lead to a career high 40% from three point range.

If Olynyk can start to have a real impact in generating opportunities, then he will finally get the kind of role he needs in order to prove that he can be one of the most valuable players on the team. Olynyk has always played around 20 minutes per game, but has never eclipsed 22 minutes per game. He has dealt with clutter in the front court and an inconsistent rotation each year but that has not fazed him.

To this point, Olynyk has progressed the way the Celtics would have hoped when they acquired him. That progress has cemented his role on the bench and has given him roster security on a team that has been in constant flux. Olynyk has carved out a legitimate role with the Celtics, but there is potential for more.

With the loss of Evan Turner, Olynyk could become the most important offensive player on the second unit. Terry Rozier or Marcus Smart are expected to take over those play making duties, but if he can develop as a ball handler and can find ways to make Stevens’ great system even better, it may only be a matter of time before he is moved to the starting unit.

At 25 years old, Olynyk still has a lot of time to grow from where he is right now. The most important thing will be ensuring that he does not regress on either end. In order to maintain his role he needs to continue to be a capable defender and a knock down three point shooter but that is where his impact ends right now.

Olynyk will also benefit from better floor spacing. Having Horford in the front court will make things easier for all the players around him, and Olynyk could benefit the most. Defenses will be forced to make Horford the priority, when just a season ago Olynyk was far and away the best shooting threat in the front court.

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Olynyk has proven that he can fill in admirably in that 20 minutes per game bench role, now it is time for him to prove that he can make the necessary adjustments that will allow him to be one of the top options on any unit.