Toronto Raptors acquire Kelly Olynyk ahead of NBA trade deadline

The Toronto Raptors added frontcourt depth in trading for Kelly Olynyk from the Utah Jazz, although they paid a steep price for the veteran center.

In return for Olynyk and shooting guard Ochai Agbaji, the Raptors gave up Otto Porter Jr., Kira Lewis, and a 2024 first-round pick, which is tied to the Indiana Pacers' record as a result of the Pascal Siakam trade.

This trade leaves the Raptors without a first-round pick in 2024. While the upcoming draft class is said to be weaker than in past years, it still is a disadvantage for a rebuilding team.

Still, the Raptors have a solid young core with 22-year-old Scottie Barnes, 23-year-old RJ Barrett, and 24-year-old Immanuel Quickley.

Toronto acquiring Olynyk represents something of a homecoming for the 10-year vet, as he was born in Toronto and lived there until his teenage years.

Olynyk is shooting a career-high 42.9 percent from three this season, which is vital for a Raptors team that makes the sixth-fewest threes per game and hits them at the ninth-lowest percentage at 36.1 percent. He's also averaging a career-high in assists with 4.4 per night, much higher than Poeltl's 2.4 on average.

In acquiring the 23-year-old Agbaji, Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic is getting another project player similar to 2023 first-round pick Gradey Dick.

Agbaji has played in 51 of Utah's 52 games leading up to the trade, averaging 19.7 minutes a night with 5.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. He makes 42.6 percent of his shots and 33.1 percent of his threes.

The Raptors are currently 18-33, five games back from the Play-In Round.