This trade proposal could be Rockets homecoming for Kelly Olynyk

Houston Rockets fans should be thankful.

This team is in a wonderful place. There were some dark years preceding the current situation. The Rockets were one of the worst teams in the NBA for three consecutive seasons.

The first post-Harden year was particularly painful. Some Rockets fans understood that they were about to undergo a tanking process. Others invested hope in false prophets. Some people saw star potential in players like Kelly Olynyk.

To be sure, those were delusional dreams. Olynyk seized an opportunity on a talent-deficient Rockets team. He averaged 19.0 points and 8.4 rebounds in 27 games with the 2021-22 Rockets. Olynyk's numbers would never approach those heights again.

For the right price, the Rockets should reunite with him anyway.

Rockets should target fan favorite

In 2024-25, Olynyk is averaging 7.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in just 15.2 minutes per contest. This is not a star player. The Rockets should be able to get him at a reasonable price. Here's how I suspect the deal would look.

Toronto Raptors receive: Jock Landale, 2026 Second Round Pick (HOU), 2027 Second Round Pick (MEM via HOU)

Houston Rockets receive: Kelly Olynyk

Consider that an educated guess. Perhaps the Raptors could insist on one more second-rounder. The Rockets should still say yes. Olynyk would be a great addition to this team.

He may not see major minutes. Realistically, those 15.2 minutes would decline on the Rockets. Olynyk can't dominate the glass like Steven Adams, and it's unlikely he'd usurp him as Alperen Sengun's primary backup.

Why trade for him at all?

Rockets need Olynyk's skillset

Let's talk about shooting.

Olynyk is knocking down a staggering 48.6% of his 1.7 three-point attempts per game in 2024-25. The Rockets badly need that type of floor spacing.

Moreover, Olynyk isn't strictly a 5. He can play the 4. Olynyk could share the floor with either Sengun or Adams for spells. He could share the floor with Jabari Smith Jr. to give the Rockets five-out spacing. His positional versatility makes him a solid fit on any roster.

Speaking of Smith Jr. - Olynyk would have been handy during his recent absence. The Rockets would still have started Amen Thompson over him, but in situations where floor spacing would be pertinent next to Sengun, Olynyk would be a strong option.

This could be another delusion. Olynyk is a Canadian playing for the league's only Canadian team. The rebuilding Raptors may want to keep him as a veteran presence, and Olynyk may be pleased to fill that role for them. The Rockets may not want to surrender assets for a third-string big. Still, it's something they ought to consider.

Fans would love to see how Olynyk looks on a winning team.