The Miami Heat were very active at this past NBA trade deadline. Bringing in Victor Oladipo from the Houston Rockets, Nemanja Bjelica from the Sacramento Kings, and Trevor Ariza from the Oklahoma City Thunder, they weren’t shy about wheeling and dealing.
However, as a result of these moves and likely in order to make them happen, they had to get off of something. That, as unfortunate to some as it may have been, piece was Kelly Olynyk and his $12.1 million dollar salary.
While the Miami Heat haven’t necessarily been worse for moving him, winning 22 of the 43 games he played while here and winning 13 of 22 since he’s left, they haven’t necessarily been better either. While that’s been the case for Miami, about even since he left, that hasn’t been the case for him, personally.
Since arriving in Houston, KO has managed to put up averages of 18.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Those numbers are about eight points higher, 2.5 rebounds, and one whole assist more than his time in Miami.