Report: Utah’s Kelly Olynyk, Washington’s Daniel Gafford are on short list of Rockets’ trade targets

Utah’s Kelly Olynyk and Washington’s Daniel Gafford appear to be on a short list of big-man targets for the Rockets at the trade deadline.

With the Jazz (22-21) in town Saturday to face the Rockets at Toyota Center, could veteran big man Kelly Olynyk be auditioning for a role with the Rockets (19-21) next month?

According to Matt Moore of The Action Network, Olynyk is on a short list of potential center targets for Rockets general manager Rafael Stone. Washington’s Daniel Gafford is another option, and talks are likely to pick up as the Feb. 8 in-season trade deadline nears.

Now 32 years old, the 6-foot-11 Olynyk is having another productive year in Utah, where he’s averaging 8 points (54.6% FG, 41.7% on 3-pointers), 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 20.9 minutes per game.

Olynyk isn’t a particularly strong defensive big man, but he’s among the best when it comes to shooting and playmaking at the position. That could be a good fit for a Houston team that is already familiar with that archetype given its starter is Alperen Sengun.

Olynyk is in the final season of his contract ($12.2-million salary in 2023-24) with the Jazz. Thus, even though he’s a productive player for a Utah team that is exceeding expectations, it could make sense for the Jazz to extract some value for Olynyk rather than risk him leaving for no compensation in 2024 free agency.

Olynyk played 27 games with the Rockets after the 2020-21 in-season trade deadline, averaging 19.0 points (54.5% FG, 39.2% on 3-pointers), 8.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 31.1 minutes.

As for Gafford, the 6-foot-10 center is averaging 10.4 points (68.5% FG), 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 26.1 minutes. Unlike Olynyk, Gafford would be more of a contrast to Sengun; his attributes include strong athleticism, rim protection on defense, and potential as a lob threat on offense. He’s not nearly the shooter or facilitator.

Now 25 years old, Gafford is under contract through the 2025-26 season at an average of just over $13 million per year.

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