Kelly Olynyk is set to leave the NBA and join BC Roma in Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A and the EuroCup, according to multiple reports. The 35-year-old Canadian forward will become part of a project co-founded by Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, who also holds a minority ownership stake in the club.
Olynyk spent the 2026 NBA season with the San Antonio Spurs, appearing in 42 games off the bench. He averaged 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in just over eight minutes per game. The Spurs reached the NBA Finals last summer, where Olynyk played a supporting role. Earlier in his career, he also made the 2020 NBA Finals with the Miami Heat inside the league’s COVID-19 quarantine bubble in Orlando.
The Toronto native was the 13th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. Over 13 seasons and eight franchises, he has appeared in 842 regular-season games. His career averages include 9.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, shooting 48.6 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from three-point range, and 79.4 percent from the free-throw line.
BC Roma’s connection to Doncic is a significant element of this move. The club was co-founded by the Lakers star and veteran NBA executive Donnie Nelson. Italian media report that Olynyk is close to finalizing terms with the ambitious side, which aims to compete at the highest levels of European basketball.
Olynyk’s departure adds to the growing trend of experienced NBA players moving to European leagues late in their careers. This shift often allows them to take on more prominent roles and extend their playing days beyond the NBA’s demands. For BC Roma, signing a player with Olynyk’s experience and skill set is a notable addition.
Gonzaga University, Olynyk’s alma mater, will have 12 alumni on NBA opening day rosters for the 2026-27 season. Olynyk’s transfer to Europe removes him from that list but highlights the diverse paths former Gonzaga players now take in their professional careers.
The move is not yet officially confirmed by BC Roma, but Italian outlets and basketball insiders have widely reported the agreement as imminent. Olynyk’s decision to join a team partially owned by Doncic, a player with whom he shares NBA experience and international basketball ties, adds a layer of interest to the transfer.
BC Roma will compete in the Lega Basket Serie A and the EuroCup, two competitions that attract strong European talent. Olynyk’s presence will boost their frontcourt options and bring veteran savvy to the roster.
This development comes as Luka Doncic continues to expand his influence off the court, branching into ownership and basketball operations while maintaining his status as one of the NBA’s brightest stars. Bringing in a player like Olynyk signals BC Roma’s intention to build a competitive team in Italy’s top league.
According to Yahoo Sports.
