Detroit Pistons: Is Kelly Olynyk the odd man out next season?

Detroit Pistons: Kelly Olynyk and Beef Stew

Olynyk’s best chance at minutes next season will be as the backup five, which is where he has played most of this season.

He’s definitely not a traditional center, but can hang with most backup bigs without getting killed defensively and his shooting potentially gives the Pistons an advantage.

The Pistons have only Isaiah Stewart at center now, with an option on Luka Garza for next season that I don’t think they will pick up.

That leaves just Beef Stew and Kelly Olynyk as the centers for next season, but will the Detroit Pistons be happy with that?

I could definitely see Detroit drafting another center, especially if they drop in the Draft or end up with a second lottery pick.

I could also see them signing a free-agent center. The obvious name is Deandre Ayton, but even if Detroit struck out with him, there are number of second and third tier guys to consider.

If the Pistons were to sign someone like Mitchell Robinson, where would that leave Olynyk? As the third center? Can the Detroit Pistons really afford to pay their third center $12 million a season?

All of these factors make it likely that Olynyk will be the odd man out next season and we could see him traded if the Pistons keep all of their current guys and add another big.