Victor Oladipo is a terrific basketballer on a good day. He has shown flashes of almost superstar play, but his inconsistency means he is at the level of an all-star. However, his recent injury struggles have brought him under the scanner. The Indiana Pacers are looking to move him for a different calibre of star alongside their ascending core.
Oladipo is a free agent in 2021 and wouldn’t tie down long-term cap space. He is a risky piece for any team to acquire. Not only is the uncertainty of him leaving present, but there is also the question of his performance. We haven’t seen much of post-injury Oladipo, so his on-court fitness is still under question
No one can doubt the value VO could bring to a team. However, who will be bold enough to possibly give up some important pieces to the Pacers for his services.
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Teams will continue to keep an eye on Indy as a potential trade partner, specifically with Victor Oladipo. Extension talks w/Oladipo last fall – discussions that at one point included an $80 million deal – didn’t progress very far, as SNY reported in May: https://t.co/dKcwIg8xk9 https://t.co/LreIzDuyK2
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 26, 2020
Victor Oladipo ending up in a big market?
Oladipo is a risky choice for any team. His injury history has plagued his all-star level production. His contract is too big for a secondary star that could be inconsistent. However, everyone knows the contribution Oladipo can bring on the defensive end. The top destination for him might just be the Miami Heat.
The Miami Heat have started their rebuild off strong. With a strong performance this season, this team is bound to improve next year. They would definitely become a contender if they trade for VO. He fits well with their aggressive defensive approach, but it comes down to how many young assets Miami would want to throw in the deal.
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Considering how VO could walk in 2021, many teams looking for a short-term impact may sniff around as well. Moreover, the Brooklyn Nets are known to be on the market. Oladipo could be a strong defensive addition, as Kyrie and KD are there for the offensive production. However, it comes down to how much of their core will the Nets be willing to give Indiana.
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Oladipo is an elite talent in this league with question marks over him. However, that shouldn’t stop a contending team to take a swing on VO as the missing piece of a championship roster.