Celtics Wire proposes Kelly Olynyk reunion, also lists McDermott, Muscala as trade targets

Hardwood Houdini is just waiting for the next Boston Celtics big man reunion after Al Horford and Enes Freedom (FKA Enes Kanter) were brought back into the fold this past offseason.

Celtics Wire’s Justin Quinn believes it could be Detroit Pistons power forward–and former Cs big man from 2013-2017–Kelly Olynyk that returns next.

Olynyk’s numbers are suffering right now on the league’s least winningest team in 2021-22, and he has been inactive since November 10th with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee that could keep him out until mid-December at the earliest.

Quinn believes that Boston should still inquire about the Canadian big man, who averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game during his four-year Cs tenure:

"While Olynyk may not know the new coach or system the team that drafted him now plays, he’s familiar with the team and has played with several players on it in the past.And while we have pointed to old friend Daniel Theis as a potential target in a similar role recently, the Gonzaga product’s shooting is more reliable at 34.1%."

Olynyk was one of three targets Quinn mentioned in his piece, with the other two being Doug McDermott and Mike Muscala. While all three would be serviceable options as a stretch-4 in the Celtics lineup, Olynyk’s toughness and willing to mix it up in the paint make him the biggest possible impact acquisition of the three.

When it comes to making a deal for the 30-yard-old Gonzaga product, the Boston Celtics would need to come up with over $12 million in matching salary. Juan Hernangomez is always our first salary filling option, but either Aaron Nesmith or Payton Pritchard would be good add-ons in any prospective swap.

Any more than that and the Pistons front office is probably pushing it, but Stevens surely wouldn’t be opposed to fortifying the interior with yet another familiar face based on past transactions.