Career Timeline of Kelly Olynyk: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kelly Olynyk made an impact.
Kelly Olynyk is a Canadian professional basketball player currently with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA and captain of the Canadian national team. He played college basketball at Gonzaga, earning All-American honors. Drafted 13th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 2013 (but immediately traded to the Boston Celtics), Olynyk has played for several NBA teams, including the Miami Heat (reaching the 2020 NBA Finals), Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, and Toronto Raptors before joining the New Orleans Pelicans and the Spurs.
2009: Started College Basketball at Gonzaga
In 2009, Kelly Olynyk began his college basketball career at Gonzaga.
2011: Redshirt Junior Year
In 2011, Kelly Olynyk and Gonzaga agreed that he would redshirt his junior year to improve his game, meaning he would practice with the team but not play.
2012: Returned to Bulldogs Lineup
In 2012, Kelly Olynyk returned to the Gonzaga Bulldogs lineup for the first game of the season.
2012: Celtics Advanced to Eastern Conference Finals
Kelly Olynyk helped the Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2012.
July 7, 2013: Signed Rookie Contract with Celtics
On July 7, 2013, Kelly Olynyk signed his rookie scale contract with the Boston Celtics.
2013: End of College Basketball at Gonzaga
In 2013, Kelly Olynyk ended his college basketball career at Gonzaga.
2013: NBA Draft and Trade to Celtics
In 2013, Kelly Olynyk was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 13th overall pick in the NBA draft and then immediately traded to the Boston Celtics after forgoing his senior season at Gonzaga.
October 29, 2014: Celtics Exercised Third-Year Team Option
On October 29, 2014, the Celtics exercised their third-year team option on Kelly Olynyk's rookie scale contract.
December 15, 2014: Career-High 30 Points
On December 15, 2014, Kelly Olynyk scored a career-high 30 points in a 105–87 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
2014: Rising Stars Challenge and All-Rookie Second Team
In 2014, Kelly Olynyk was selected for the Rising Stars Challenge and named to the NBA All-Rookie second team.
December 11, 2015: Season-High 28 Points
On December 11, 2015, Kelly Olynyk scored a season-high 28 points in a 124–119 double overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors.
March 16, 2016: Returned After Shoulder Injury
On March 16, 2016, Kelly Olynyk returned to action for the Celtics after missing 12 games with an injured right shoulder.
November 9, 2016: Season Debut for Celtics
On November 9, 2016, Kelly Olynyk made his season debut for the Celtics after recovering from right shoulder surgery.
January 13, 2017: New Season High with 26 Points
On January 13, 2017, Kelly Olynyk set a new season high with 26 points in a 103–101 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
July 4, 2017: Became Unrestricted Free Agent
On July 4, 2017, the Celtics renounced their rights to Kelly Olynyk, resulting in him becoming an unrestricted free agent.
July 7, 2017: Signed with Miami Heat
On July 7, 2017, Kelly Olynyk signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Miami Heat.
July 2017: Signed with Miami Heat
In July 2017, Kelly Olynyk signed with the Miami Heat.
October 18, 2017: Debut for Heat
On October 18, 2017, Kelly Olynyk debuted for the Miami Heat, scoring 10 points in a loss to the Orlando Magic.
December 20, 2017: Career-High 32 Points
On December 20, 2017, Kelly Olynyk scored a career-high 32 points in a win over his former team, the Boston Celtics.
March 19, 2018: Scored 30 Points off the Bench
On March 19, 2018, Kelly Olynyk scored 30 points off the bench in a win over the Denver Nuggets, becoming the second bench player in Heat history to score 30 points.
July 17, 2019: Included on Canadian National Team Roster
On July 17, 2019, Kelly Olynyk was included on the Canadian national team's training camp roster.
February 10, 2020: Recorded Career High Assists
On February 10, 2020, Kelly Olynyk recorded a double-double, including a new career-high of 11 assists, in a win against the Golden State Warriors.
2020: NBA Finals with Miami Heat
In 2020, Kelly Olynyk helped the Miami Heat reach the NBA Finals.
March 2021: Traded to Houston Rockets
In March 2021, Kelly Olynyk was traded to the Houston Rockets.
March 25, 2021: Traded to Houston Rockets
On March 25, 2021, Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, and a 2022 draft pick swap were traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Victor Oladipo.
August 6, 2021: Signed with Detroit Pistons
On August 6, 2021, Kelly Olynyk signed a 3-year, $37 million contract with the Detroit Pistons.
May 24, 2022: Committed to Canadian National Team
On May 24, 2022, Kelly Olynyk agreed to a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior men's national team.
September 26, 2022: Traded to Utah Jazz
On September 26, 2022, Kelly Olynyk was traded to the Utah Jazz.
2022: Traded to Utah Jazz
In 2022, Kelly Olynyk was traded to the Utah Jazz.
2022: Part of Trade to Houston Rockets
In March 25, 2021, Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, and a 2022 draft pick swap were traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Victor Oladipo.
February 8, 2024: Traded to Toronto Raptors
On February 8, 2024, Kelly Olynyk was traded to the Toronto Raptors.
2024: Traded to Toronto Raptors
In 2024, Kelly Olynyk was traded to the Toronto Raptors.
2024: Named Captain of Canada's Olympic Team
Kelly Olynyk was named captain of Canada's team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
February 6, 2025: Traded to the New Orleans Pelicans
On February 6, 2025, Kelly Olynyk was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
July 6, 2025: Traded to Washington Wizards
On July 6, 2025, Kelly Olynyk was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team trade that also included the Houston Rockets.
2025: Traded to New Orleans Pelicans
In 2025, Kelly Olynyk was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans before joining the San Antonio Spurs.
2026: Future Draft Pick
In July 9, 2025 Kelly Olynyk was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley, and a 2026 second-round draft pick.
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