The Victor Olaipo trade rumors are heating up. But if the Miami Heat make a trade for the guard this offseason, don’t expect a godfather offer.
Since Jimmy Butler’s arrival last summer, the rumblings of Victor Oladipo joining up with the Miami Heat in South Beach have been constant if nothing else.
When he and the Indiana Pacers couldn’t agree on an extension prior to the season, the rest of the NBA was put on notice: a trade for the All-Star could be on the horizon. The whispers have only gotten worse over the last week since the Pacers were sent home packing in the first round.
And by none other than Butler and the Heat, I should mention.
In his exit meeting after the Game 4 loss, Oladipo wouldn’t comment on his future in Indiana. With only one year left on his deal until free agency in 2021, a number of executives expect the Pacers to explore trade options after the season’s finish in Orlando.
It’s not necessarily the best situation for Indiana, but as many have caught on: it won’t be by their own choice that Oladipo leaves. If he makes it clear he won’t resign in 2021, they’ll have no other choice but to explore all their options ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
And as we saw with the Paul George trade saga, this Pacers front office won’t let themselves be caught empty-handed while their best player departs in free agency. But oftentimes, if the league knows the franchise’s arm is being bent, teams are unwilling to offer up a huge return.
Then there’s Oladipo’s health, which is as questionable as any potential trade return. Since rupturing a quadriceps tendon in his right knee in January of 2019, he has yet to regain the very form that pushed him to Eastern Conference All-Star in two consecutive seasons.
So not only will be Indiana not be able to hide Oladipo’s intentions to leave in free agency, but he’s also not played up to the hype that surrounded him in the season prior. In other words, you couldn’t pay me to do GM Kevin Pritchard’s job this offseason.
Knowing Riley, if the Miami Heat do make an offer for the shooting guard, it’s sure to look a lot different than what’s represented of Oladipo in his next contract. If he really wants to be in South Beach, they can just let him come on his own accord in free agency.
Given all that we know, what’s a realistic Miami Heat offer for Victor Oladipo?
It’s safe to say the rest of the league smells the blood in the water surrounding this Indiana Pacers franchise. I mean hell, they fired their head coach just one week after signing him to an extension.
Sure it was just for one more year, but to make a formal commitment to Nate McMillan and then do an immediate 180-degree turn? This Pacers franchise is in panic mode.
Knowing that, don’t be shocked by the offer below. It’s possibly the best Indiana can expect given their current standings with both Oladipo and the rest of the league:
Getting a young prospect like Kendrick Nunn, who is a top-three finalist for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award this season, and a first-round pick wouldn’t be a steal for Indiana, but it works.
Do the Pacers say yes to this deal? Likely not. A number of teams could swoop in with better offers: the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, or Brooklyn Nets come to mind.
But what if Oladipo comes out and says Miami is the only team he’ll resign with?
Then things get ten times stickier for Indiana. The offers from other teams lessen, and all the leverage shifts to Riley and the Heat. Player empowerment has never been higher than the current era, and even not at 100 percent of himself, Oladipo is sure to take advantage.
Look. If Indiana pressed, it’s possible Riley could be talked into a sign-and-trade that involves Derrick Jones Jr in place of Olynyk, should the forward have interest in playing for the Pacers.
But right now, this is the realistic Miami Heat offer for Victor Oladipo.
For now, there’s a hold on all things Miami Heat and the trade market. And for good reason, as they’re headed into the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Game 1 has yet to be scheduled, with the Milwaukee Bucks-Orlando Magic series still ongoing.