The Los Angeles Lakers' void in the frontcourt could have been filled by a number of players. It could have even involved former New Orleans Pelicans big man Kelly Olynyk. However, after yesterday's trade, that ship has likely sailed.
"The New Orleans Pelicans are trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick, sources tell ESPN," Shams Charania announced on Twitter/X.
The trade swaps guards -- the Wizards shifting from Poole to the veteran in McCollum, who has an expiring contract. Washington now is expected to approach $100 million in projected cap space in 2026. Pelicans move younger, possibly more dynamic with Poole and Bey. https://t.co/5MoDagRyph
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025
Olynyk was far from the main focus of the deal. Most would have their eyes on headliners CJ McCollum and Jordan Poole. However, Washington Wizards fans could not help but fixate right onto the stretch big man.
The reception that Olynyk has gotten in the capital city has been unkind, to put it mildly. Most of it is stemming from one pivotal moment in Wizards playoff history.
Wizards fans slow to embrace newest member of team
The Lakers' need for frontcourt depth would have made anyone resembling a quality option popular from the beginning of their time in Los Angeles. Giving Luka Doncic and LeBron James a big man is a move that fans have pleaded for.
Wizards fans, on the other hand, are not that welcoming at the moment. The franchise in America's capital has not experienced a ton of meaningful playoff success over the last decade.
However, the 2017 NBA Playoffs did feature a very fun and competitive Wizards team. They were certainly not a contender by any means, but the duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal had the unit flirting with dark horse status.
Oynyk was a part of the Boston Celtics team that matched up with the Wizards in the second round. A feisty and competitive seven-game series kept Washington from advancing to their first Conference Finals appearance since the 70s after a decisive 115-105 loss in the final game.
A hard-nosed series with plenty of scrappy moments featured Olynyk front and center in a lot of them. Instead of embracing that kind of energy now being in their lineup, many Wizards fans were livid with the acquisition.
theres no way kelly olynyk is in a wizards jersey pic.twitter.com/ZsKNWws5Ab
— WizardsMuse (@WizardsMuse1) June 24, 2025
Kelly Olynyk shouldn’t be allowed to be on the Washington Wizards. It should be illegal.
— Becca (@BeccaMVP) June 24, 2025
Wizards fans seeing the name Kelly Olynyk https://t.co/aJdgFK4q6y pic.twitter.com/13vLX1f3Kx
— Steve Helwick (@s_helwick) June 24, 2025
They DID NOT just put Kelly Olynyk in a Wizards jersey… https://t.co/WL0pUr7lLr pic.twitter.com/mgpYSAbMh2
— shai (@multishai) June 24, 2025
Perhaps Olynyk is one of those players that can be easy to hate when he's playing for another team. Cleveland Cavaliers fans will certainly feel that way from watching the Kevin Love injury in the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
However, these are also often the same kinds of players their own fanbases embrace. Wizards fans may just need some time.