In a recent piece where he answered questions posed to him from Heat fans, the Sun Sentinel‘s Ira Winderman made it clear that Oladipo is not seen as a max-contract player around the league. “And this was always Part B of the Victor Oladipo equation, that if for any reason, be it injury or productivity, the Heat still could circle back to utilizing cap space, instead of Victor’s Bird Rights, this summer in free agency,” he wrote. “As it is, it is increasingly unlikely that Victor will get anything near a maximum deal this summer, in terms or annual dollars or even years, from the Heat or elsewhere. Thursday’s injury rekindled plenty of questions that never were far removed from the conversation.”
Houston could also still flip Oladipo, who wanted out of Indiana but landed in another place he doesn’t want to be. League sources say Oladipo still hopes to find himself in Miami.
Ian Begley: And I would think that Oladipo is looking for a max contract when he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2021. So I wouldn’t be surprised at all, if the Pacers at least considered trading Oladipo because they know they may not be able to resign-him. I think if you’re the Knicks or the Nets, you have to gauge what you think Oladipo would be when he’s healthy because he’s coming off that significant injury, you have to gauge whether you’d be willing to commit a max salary to him next summer. I do know that some people with the Knicks are very high on Oladipo but I don’t know if top-decision makers are high in Oladipo.
Although Oladipo made the All-Star team in 2018 and 2019, the combination of him having only one truly great season, the injury and having just one year left on his contract has many scouts and executives skeptical about committing to him on a big deal. “The tricky thing for me with Oladipo is this guy has had a relatively long career and he had one year at an All-NBA level and that’s really the only All-Star-level [year he’s had],” an Eastern Conference executive said. “Last year, he wasn’t as good before he got hurt. Previous [to Indiana], he wasn’t playing unbelievably, either.”
Although Oladipo made the All-Star team in 2018 and 2019, the combination of him having only one truly great season, the injury and having just one year left on his contract has many scouts and executives skeptical about committing to him on a big deal. “The tricky thing for me with Oladipo is this guy has had a relatively long career and he had one year at an All-NBA level and that’s really the only All-Star-level [year he’s had],” an Eastern Conference executive said. “Last year, he wasn’t as good before he got hurt. Previous [to Indiana], he wasn’t playing unbelievably, either.”
Well, let’s start with Oladipo because this is a significant fork in the road for the franchise. They had some talks last fall before the season but shelved discussions until the summer — which is code for ‘we want more’ from Oladipo’s side. It’s difficult for me to imagine the Pacers going into the 2020-21 season without either an extension or trade for Oladipo. Fans will be thinking here’s the Paul George situation all over again, and since Indy is not a destination for free agents, the Pacers can’t let Oladipo walk for anything next summer.
Westbrook, however, isn’t the only one whose contract will expire after the 2016-17 season. New Thunder guard Victor Oladipo will be a free agent, too, and he’s reportedly seeking the maximum salary, sources told ESPN’s Zach Lowe. Under the projected 2017 salary cap ($102 million), Oladipo’s salary would jump to a little under $24 million in 2017-18 if he were to receive a maximum extension.
Storyline Hype
Rumor visits per day for the last week
Harrison Wind: Monte Morris’ minute restriction has been increased, Malone says, but no official word on who’s starting between him and Facu Campazzo. Malone also says PJ Dozier is in for a minute increase with no Murray.