Spurs trending toward a version of Zach Collins 2.0 but Kelly Olynyk makes it work

It may be painful to think about for some Spurs fans, but Zach Collins has been reincarnated as Kelly Olynyk, and everyone should be thrilled about it. I know that sounds counterintuitive, considering how much of the fan base screamed for the front office to get rid of the now-Chicago Bulls center, but you have to consider their roles on the team because that's what changes everything.

Collins was in the wrong place at the wrong time

I'm not saying that these guys have a similar playstyle, so let's get that part out of the way before you start slandering me for making this comparison. It's simple, though. Collins was a slightly better defender, and Kelly has a slightly more fleshed-out offensive game. But neither should be playing heavy minutes for this team. They'll have good-to-great moments, but they'll also frustrate fans to no end.

Last year, Zach's new contract kicked in, and he was making nearly $17 million to come off the bench after he joined the team with the plan to start. That plan didn't last too long when Wemby showed up, as they didn't make it through one season with both guys in the opening unit.

Had Collins come in as a third-string center who was only going to play limited minutes on a cheaper contract, the perception of him would have been much different. Those weren't the cards dealt, and moving on from him was the right decision.

Olynyk is effective in short bursts

Olynyk is here under more favorable circumstances. With Luke Kornet on the roster, the Spurs don't have to rely on the 34-year-old Canadian center to carry them, but when he plays, and they get something out of him, it's a huge benefit. That's not all the time, though. He can be borderline unplayable, and the most recent loss to Phoenix was a painful example of that.

That's what happens once you get that far down the roster, though. Sometimes, guys won't step up in the way you hoped. That's sports. San Antonio's December 8 rematch against the Pelicans was a great example of "Good Kelly," though. He was one of three players who made a shot in the third quarter as they tried to fend off NO's push, and he made a huge three in the fourth.

That game was only won by three points; everything he gave the Silver and Black was necessary. So many of the other guys weren't playing well when he made his biggest contribution, as the third quarter continues to ail this team. We should all be grateful he did.

Olynyk only has one year left on his deal for $13 million. He's cheaper than Zach would have been this year at $18 million, and the deal is shorter, giving the front office more flexibility. It's a fantastic place to be, and it only gets better when Victor Wembanyama returns.