Kelly Olynyk says goodbye to the NBA. After 13 seasons in the league, the Canadian has decided to continue his career in Europe, and according to Emiliano Carchia, a Sportando journalist, he has reached an agreement to join BC Roma. Thus, the center will begin a new chapter in Italy, although he will still maintain a link to the NBA since the team is partly owned by Luka Dončić.
Olynyk bids farewell to the league after coming close to a championship ring for the second time in his career. He reached them in 2020 as a key piece in the Heat’s rotation, and this year with San Antonio, although his role with the Spurs has been much more limited and relegated to garbage-time minutes in games already decided. It can be assumed that that lack of minutes, and likely even a lack of offers, is what forced the decision, giving him the opportunity to keep feeling important in another competition.
In his 13 years, Olynyk played 842 regular-season games, tallying 8,272 points, 4,200 rebounds and 2,024 assists. Although he was never a star, his ability to space the floor and his willingness to do the dirty work made him a valuable asset on various teams, a value he now intends to continue contributing in Rome.