Before this season started there was a quote from Mark Few (and I'm paraphrasing here) that Kelly Olynyk was the most improved player on the team. Many of us were, unsurprisingly, a little apprehensive about that idea.

Well it looks like Mark has more insight into the team than the rest of us (who would have thought?) and was right on about Kelly, who has essentially become the Zags most important and influential player over the past month and a half.

At this point the 2013 NBA draft is still over 5 months away, but Kelly is beginning to get some chatter about being a first round draft pick.

NBADraft.net has Kelly going #29 in this years draft. (Elias is projected at 57)*

Draft Express meanwhile has Kelly in the 2nd round this year at #38, with Elias following Robert Sacre's lead at #60.*

I am sure we would all love for Kelly to be here next year as well, but with the NBA currently favoring underclassmen in the draft, this might be the right year for Kelly to head to the Pro's.

*Note: Draft projections as of 1/15. The mocks on these links are subject to change.