The Miami Heat may now have to turn their attention towards a guy like Victor Oladipo and I wouldn’t be mad at it.
When thinking about Oladipo wanting to remain in Indiana, here is what he had to say about it all. He told Shams Charania of The Athletic (subscription required) as much recently.
He basically told him that he is “committed to the franchise”, the Indiana Pacers and that he is committed to their vision. He also cleared up a long-running, yet well known, rumor that’s been going around about him.
On the rumor that he’s been asking other players for other teams if they would trade for him, he said it isn’t true and noted how he loves his current Pacer teammates. He even went into how he is excited to get a fresh start under the new head man, Nate Bjorkgren.
As far as what the rumors were that he had been saying, I believe them and you don’t hear them from multiple sources if they aren’t true. Oladipo does not want to be in Indiana and that has been apparent for the last few seasons.
The Miami Heat can swoop in and take him off their hands. Not only can he still be a really quality player though, but they can get him for peanuts, relatively.
Comparatively speaking to what it would take to land Harden, it would take a fraction of that to land Oladipo right now. The Miami Heat would most certainly have to send out a package consisting of Tyler Herro and multiple first-round picks to land Harden right now, while a package consisting of Kendrick Nunn and one first-round pick as the headlines are probably enough to pry Dipo from Indiana.
It’s just a better deal, especially with the Miami Heat’s current scenario. They have all the flexibility in the world and that’s coming off of an appearance in the NBA Finals.
They should look to do all they can to get better, while also maintaining that maneuverability. That, among other reasons, is why they should reinvigorate their chase for Victor Oladipo.