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Summary

If you looked solely at Olynyk's shooting numbers, it would appear as if Olynyk had a career-year, hitting a career-best 43% from three and 60% eFG%. However, Olynyk actually played the fewest number of games and fewest minutes per game than any other season in his career. The Heat started Meyers Leonard and Bam Adebayo, and played a lot of minutes with Bam as the sole big in a small-ball lineup, thus lowering the amount of minutes available for Olynyk.

 

Due to his athletic limitations on the perimeter, Olynyk can struggle on defense if played at power forward, but isn't the best rim protector on defense. Olynyk's best role is as a change-of-pace stretch center, as he can take advantage of slow-footed bigs in pick-and-pop situations, while still having enough skill down low to punish teams that put a smaller player.

 

Cap Considerations

Olynyk has a player option for his $13.2 million salary in 2020-2021, and will be an unrestricted free agent with a $19.6 million cap hold and full Bird rights if he opts out. If Olynyk opts out, the Heat could have max cap space, but only if they renounce all of their free agents.

 

Olynyk is unlikely to opt out, but if he does it likely means he has a long-term offer at a similar annual value. So if he opts out, Olynyk will certainly demand a starting salary of more than the full $9.3 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, which means only teams with cap space will be able to sign him. If Olynyk and an over-the-cap team have mutual interest, sign-and-trade options can be explored.

Potential Teams: Heat, Suns, Jazz, Trailblazers, Hornets

Predicted Contract: Opt In: $13.2 million

If opt out: 2-year, $20 million with the Suns

Last updated: 12/31/2020

Actual Contract: Opt In: $13.2 million

Olynyk opted in as expected, and will be a free agent in 2021.

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