Celtics Green 11/2: Kelly Olynyk’s Future in Boston in Doubt

Boston Celtics big man Kelly Olynyk has yet to step on the court in the regular season, but may be playing his last season in Boston.

The deadline for contract extensions has come and passed and Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk was one of the odd men out. But the fourth-year player out of Gonzaga is not fretting on it, because he says it is something he expected.

While others from the class of 2013 have cashed in around the NBA, Olynyk says he understands why the Celtics do not want to commit to him this early because the team needs the salary cap flexibility to go after some of the big names entering free agency this offseason.

"“I didn’t expect to get (an extension),” Olynyk said Tuesday via Masslive. “We’re in a good position as a team here and got some room to do stuff in the offseason. It is what it is.”"

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Now, there is a good change Olynyk will re-sign with the Celtics, but for now the team is focused on preserving spending money to go after another max player. The 7-footer could have to deliver the team a bargain to remain in Boston. That would depend on how well he plays when he does return this season.

As a player who has missed considerable time due to injury, Olynyk will have to prove himself as a player deserving of the type of money the Celtics would be content with locking up. If he doesn’t progress this season and still struggles with injury, the decision may become an easy one for Boston.

Basically it could become a choice between Kelly Olynyk and signing someone like Blake Griffin or Gordon Hayward for instance. If that becomes the case, the big man will have take less dollars to stay or find his next home.

Notes & quotes

Retiring No. 20?: With the announcement of Ray Allen’s retirement, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge must decide if the team will retire his number.

Allen was apart of the 2008 championship team, but left on sour terms. Will time heal all wounds? Quite possibly, but Allen didn’t play many years with the Celtics. Speaking with “Toucher and Rich” Tuesday, Ainge expressed his gratefulness for all Allen did for Boston, but didn’t hint either way on retiring the number.

"“I don’t know. I’m not sure. Time heals, and I think that he was a great player for us,” Ainge said via ESPN. “I love Ray, and I’m grateful for Ray. And I’m grateful for all that he brought to us in the five years he played here. He was a fantastic player. Time will tell on all those.”"

Brad Stevens on Marcus Smart return via WEEI:

"“He’s one of our returning most-contributive players, so that’s a big addition to our team. He looked good today. We’ll see how he feels in the next couple of days. But every indication is that he’ll be available.”"

Brad Stevens on James Young’s future via Masslive.com:

"“I think obviously James has improved a great deal. We’ve well-documented the roster spot that he earned and at the same time I think with all the picks we have in the future and with all the guys we have all over I think we ultimately have to be able to maintain flexibility to make those decisions down the road. But he’s trending in a direction where we want to have him around. And we’ve always wanted to have him around. We just have so many numbers from a picks standpoint, from a draft picks standpoint that’s not here, that we have to maintain some flexibility.”"

Next: Celtics Guard Isaiah Thomas Is Always Looking Ahead

The Boston Celtics will next host the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden Wednesday night.

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