DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – Hoping to be a year away from the NBA playoffs, the Detroit Pistons may have to make a decision on Kelly Olynyk in 2022-23. Olynyk is headed into his final year of his contract and is a coveted big man. Last year he averaged 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game which was his lowest in five years.

The nine-year veteran has played in Boston, Miami, and Detroit. In seven of the nine seasons, he has averaged double figures in scoring with his highest a 19.0 points per game in 2020-21 in 27 games with Houston. He split that season with Miami and Houston finishing at 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. He signed a free-agent contract for 3-years, $37 million in August 2021, after his time with the Houston Rockets.

Detroit drafted Cade Cunningham as the number one draft pick in 2021 and then less than two weeks ago added Kevin Knox and re-signed Rodney McGruder. Knox is another big man at 6-7,  that will go with Olynyk’s 6-11 body, who recorded double-digit scoring in both outings for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Playoffs. He was drafted ninth overall in 2018 by New York and averages 7.7 points per game in his career. McGruder has a 6-4 frame that averages 5.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game with a career three-point shooting percentage of .406.

With the addition of 2022 NBA Draft Pick Jaden Ivey (Purdue), Detroit will have a guard heavy offense with big men to go to inside. Ivey averaged 17.3 points and 3.1 assists per game last year for Purdue earning All-American honors.

Olynyk’s second season with Detroit will be an interesting one with the fate of a fourth team looming. Time will tell if Olynyk will be a Piston for a third year in 2023-24.