Potential Heat free agent target signs extension with East rival

Houston Rockets v Toronto Raptors
Houston Rockets v Toronto Raptors | Mark Blinch/GettyImages

The Toronto Raptors and center Kelly Olynyk agreed to a two-year contract extension on Monday, taking a potential free-agent target for the Miami Heat off the market this summer.

Olynyk’s deal is worth $26.3 million, according to ESPN, and takes him through the 2025-26 season. The Raptors traded for the 32-year-old Olynyk in a trade deadline with the Utah Jazz in February intending to sign the Canadian native to an extension, per ESPN’s report.

In nine games with the Raptors, Olynyk is averaging 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 46% shooting overall. 

Some Miami Heat fans had hoped the organization would try to reunite with former big man Kelly Olynyk this summer.

Olynyk played for the Heat from 2017 to 2021 before he was traded to the Houston Rockets in a deal that landed Victor Oladipo in Miami. Olynyk was a key part of Miami’s 2020 Finals run, which ultimately ended by losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the championship series in the NBA bubble.

Prior to signing this extension, Olynyk was set to be a free agent this summer. Although it would have been difficult for the Heat to offer Olynk a deal worth what he signed in Toronto, many Heat fans had hoped a reunion could be in play.

Among the many big men who have lined up next to Bam Adebayo, few have been as seamless a fit as Olynyk. His size, shooting and passing made him an easy frontcourt partner for Adebayo.

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