6 Players the Celtics may replace Payton Pritchard with by the trade deadline

4. Kelly Olynyk

Multiple reports have linked Olynyk to a reunion with the Celtics. He started his NBA career in Boston after being the 13th overall pick in 2013 and spent four years with the franchise before departing via free agency in 2017. The Jazz are in the middle of a rebuild and are open to trading his $12.1 million expiring contract before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

The Celtics would love to add a 6’11 big man who can provide depth behind Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford and share the floor with them. Olynyk is a career 36.9 percent 3-point shooter, who can make plays, defend multiple positions, and rebound, but acquiring him might be problematic.

Boston does not want to trade away four players to get one, but they will struggle to match the salary of any player making more than $10 million. It is nearly impossible for the Celtics to acquire Olynyk without giving up one of their top six players. Even dealing Payton Pritchard, Luke Kornet, Oshae Brissett, and Dalano Banton for Olynyk leaves Boston about $0.5 million short in matching salary.

Fans can dream about his fantastic fit in Boston and his potential impact, but making the math work is next to impossible. The Celtics could get creative by involving a third team, but that makes things even more complicated.