BC Roma are in talks with veteran center Kelly Olynyk, with the 35-year-old Canadian reportedly having reached a preliminary agreement with the newly founded Italian club.
Superbasket.eu reported Wednesday that Roma are close to completing a deal for Olynyk, who could sign in the coming hours. The report also stated that the 2.11-meter big man is expected to arrive in the Italian capital in time to make his debut in the derby against Maxima on October 11.
Olynyk would bring 13 years of NBA experience to a BC Roma project that is entering its first season. He has played 842 NBA games since entering the league in 2013, most recently appearing for the San Antonio Spurs during the 2025-26 season.
The Canadian averaged 3.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 41 games for San Antonio last season, playing 8.8 minutes per game. He shot 49.0% from the field and 25.5% from three-point range.
Olynyk’s NBA career has been far more productive overall. Across his professional career, he has averaged 9.8 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 36.9% from three-point range, according to Superbasket.
The 2013 first-round pick began his NBA career with the Boston Celtics, spending four seasons in Massachusetts before moving to the Miami Heat. He also played for the Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans and Spurs.
His best statistical NBA season came in 2020-21, when he split the campaign between Miami and Houston. After averaging 10.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 43 games with the Heat, Olynyk produced 18.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 28 games with the Rockets.
He also enjoyed a particularly productive stretch with Utah. Olynyk averaged 12.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 68 games during the 2022-23 season while shooting 39.4% from three-point range. The following season, he posted 8.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Jazz before being traded to Toronto, where he averaged 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 28 games.
Olynyk also remains active with the Canadian national team. He played for Canada in late August during the qualifying process for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
BC Roma was established in 2026 following the acquisition and relocation of Vanoli Cremona’s sporting license. The project is led by former NBA executive Donnie Nelson, with Luka Doncic and former Italian national team coach Valerio Bianchini also involved.
The club’s roster already includes Nico Mannion, Paul Watson, Corey Davis Jr., Marko Simonovic and Giovanni Emejuru. Alessandro Magro is the head coach, with Roma competing in Italy’s LBA and the EuroCup.
