Victor Oladipo was traded to the Houston Rockets from the Indiana Pacers during the three-team trade that sent the Rockets’ star guard James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. His time in Houston got off to a great start as the team went on a six-game winning streak trending up the standings in the Western Conference. But due to an injury to their young franchise cornerstone Christian Wood. Along with the team facing tougher competition. Houston is now the loser of eight straight games.
Reality is starting to set in that the team isn’t good enough to make a playoff run. As a result, they have already released their veteran center, DeMarcus Cousins. It looks like this team is heading towards a rebuild and a youth movement. Meaning there could be a fire sale for the remaining veterans on the team. Oladipo is already 28 years old. Also, a free agent after this season so he shouldn’t be in the Rocket’s plans for the future.
However, he should have value on the trade market. The two-way guard is averaging 18.3 points per game, 4.9 assists per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, and 1.2 steals per game. Oladipo could fit perfectly on plenty of teams providing a spark to their starting lineup. Either strengthening a team looking to make a deep run in the playoff. Or be the player to help a team on the cusp of reaching the playoff. These three teams should be gunning for a Victor Oladipo trade before the trade deadline to strengthen their roster as we enter the second half of the season.
Victor Oladipo Stays in Texas and goes to the Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have had a rollercoaster of a season. Falling short of the expectations set for them. The team had hit a low point of 8-13 after a six-game losing streak but have been able to dig themselves out of that. They are currently 13-13…However key parts of the roster could use an upgrade. The guard rotation has left a lot to be desired outside of Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson who probably should be playing more minutes.
Besides those two guards, the rest of the Mavericks guards either are proficient on the offensive side of the ball like Tim Hardaway Jr. or on the defensive side like Josh Richardson. Adding a player like Victor Oladipo who is a Two-Way stud will allow the Mavericks to excel on both sides of the ball. While giving coach Rick Carlisle roster flexibility because Oladipo is able to make up for their defensive and offensive shortcoming on the perimeter.
Oladipo Returns to the Orlando Magic
The Magic have yet to find a true #2 to pair with recently selected All-Star Reserve Nikola Vucevic. They always seem to let the good players on the roster walk for nothing. Players like Tobias Harris, Serge Ibaka, and Victor Oladipo and then regret the decision in later seasons.
If Oladipo were brought back, he would fit in well for the team that has some intriguing talent like young guard Cole Anthony and Aaron Gordon but has also been riddled with season-ending injuries to important rotation pieces like Markelle Fultz and Johnathan Issac.
Oladipo left the Orlando Magic at 23 and now has a chance to return as a two-time All-Star at 28 years old. Possessing the ability to will this Orlando team up the standings alongside Vucevic and into a first-round playoff matchup which would be deemed a success for this team.
Oladipo Takes His Talents To South Beach
The Miami Heat have clearly been a disappointment so far into the season after coming off an NBA Finals appearance. They have even struggled to maintain a positive record so far. The Heat are also looking like losers in the James Harden deal as they were reluctant to put their young guard Tyler Herro into trade offers which appears to be hurting the team.
Allowing the Nets to Acquire James Harden when they had a chance themselves puts a huge dent in their chances of returning to the NBA finals. The Heat have a chance to undo some of their wrongs from the Harden trade and bring in Victor Oladipo from the Rockets. Victor Oladpio, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo immediately form the best defensive trio in the league. Which will hopefully work wonders for them in the playoffs if they hope to contain the offensive juggernaut Brooklyn Nets.
