On January 14th, the Houston Rockets traded James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets, thus starting a rebuild. As a part of that trade they acquired Victor Oladipo from the Indiana Pacers to try and help cover the sting of losing a talent like Harden in the backcourt with John Wall. This was a risk, as Oladipo is a free agent to be and could leave after the season. It has not worked out. Some of this can be pointed to Christan Wood injury, as since Wood has gotten hurt, Houston has lost 13 in a row. Oladipo also just rejected a max contract extension of 2 years and $45 million. So Oladipo is going to be a free agent come August (or whenever free agency is) and Houston has a decision to make.
Victor Oladipo is a 2 time All Star with the Indiana Pacers but got hurt in January 2019 and has not been the same player since. He showed flashes earlier this season with the Pacers but they have not translated to Houston as he has struggled since the trade, averaging 19.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists on 38% from the field and 31% from 3 point range. He is a player who has shown what he can do on the court when he is healthy and is a player a lot of teams would value. The question becomes what is the price? What are teams willing to give up? What does Houston need in a deal? Houston traded Caris LeVert to Indiana as a part of the deal, was that a mistake? Yes, it probably was a mistake. No, LeVert has not played since the trade due to a kidney condition but still has 2 years left on his contract and is expected to make a full recovery. So, Houston would likely be better off with LeVert instead of Oladipo, but they have Oladipo and should explore trades because it is an even bigger disaster if he leaves for nothing. Which might be likely if Houston continues to play the way they have, and teams know this. So what would it take for a team to pry him from the Rockets? And what teams would be interested?
So what would it take? A young player and a pick might be a little pricey for me, depending on the player and pick. And a contract to match salaries. Two teams I like for Victor Oladipo are the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets. Let’s start in the Bay Area. The Warriors desperately need a 2-guard to play next to Steph Curry with Klay Thompson out. They need a guy who can guard the other team's top guard and score the basketball at will. Golden State could make an offer of Kelly Oubre Jr., youngsters Jordan Poole and Alen Smailagic, and 2nd round picks. They already owe their pick top 20 protected to the Thunder so they could acquire Oubre and they owe their 2024 pick to Memphis so trading 1st round picks is not an option. But that is a solid return for the Rockets. Oubre is a free agent so he could either be re-signed or let go of, which would leave you with Poole, Smailagic, and 2nd round picks. That is not an awful return, especially if they can get the Timberwolves 2nd round pick Golden State owns. It might be one of the top second round picks out there which Houston could use to draft another talented youngster in what is considered a deep draft.
The Denver Nuggets are currently 6th in the west at 21-15. That is not bad but not where they expect to be. They need something to compete with the west elites and that player might just be Victor Oladipo. Is the 2-guard next to Jamal Murray Denver’s biggest need? No, it is not. They likely need another forward option as Paul Milsap is 35 and JaMychal Green has been iffy in past playoff series. However, Gary Harris and Will Barton are not as reliable as Oladipo. A deal would definitely include Harris is a $19 million salary this season and is on the books for $20 million next season. So whether you want that salary on your books next season as well could be key in deciding between the two offers I present. Another key is what you think of R.J. Hampton or Bol Bol. I prefer Hampton because Bol Bol’s injury history along with how skinny he is for his height scares me a lot. So would you take an offer of Gary Harris and R.J. Hampton for Victor Oladipo? Maybe a 2nd round pick or two could be included but with Harris being a tradable asset and Hampton looking like he has a chance to be a real solid NBA player. Denver could become dangerous in the west if Oladipo could be at that All-Star level he was at before he got injured.
These are just two potential offers that could be on the table for Oladipo. It is a question of what do you think of R.J. Hampton or Bol Bol? What do you think of Jordan Poole and Alen Smailagic? Personally, I think I would take the Nuggets offer, having Gary Harris under contract for another season is really appealing to me vs. having to make a decision on Oubre. Also, I am a R.J. Hampton fan and think he can be something as a backup guard and hopefully one day as a starting guard. New Rockets General Manager Rafel Stone has a bunch of difficult decisions to make come March 25th. He may decide to keep Oladipo, which is very risky and a decision I do not think he should make. It will be fun to see what he does with not only Oladipo but all the other Rockets at the trade deadline.
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