Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Kelly Olynyk wouldn’t mind being drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers and not just because the franchise is not too far from the Gonzaga campus in Spokane, Wash.
The Trial Blazers wouldn’t mind having the 7-foot, 234-pound Gonzaga center, who appears ready to blend into the NBA.
Many NBA draft observers question Olynyk’s potential toughness as a player. Many observers continue to believe Olynyk would be a good fit for the Blazers, who are in need of someone of his size to be dominant in the middle.
He comes in after two solid seasons for Gonzaga. He averaged 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while playing an average of 26.4 minutes. The Blazers need someone crashing the boards on a more consistent basis. He also handles the ball very well for a big man. Olynyk shot 62.6 percent from the floor and 77.6 percent in free throws.
Scouting reports praise Olynyk for the versatile talents he possesses on the court, and he should be able to do a lot of things for the Blazers. He can score with his back to the basket and can also pop in a few 3-pointers to keep the defenses honest.
The fact that Olynyk worked out on his own during the offseason and has done various conditioning workouts to get better is another indicator of his potential.
Obviously, Olynyk needs to be as tough as nails inside to have a chance in the NBA. If he gets stronger, the team that drafts him, whether it’s Portland or someone else, will reap the benefits.
