Pacers guard Victor Oladipo has been the subject of trade rumors recently, with a report earlier this week suggesting that the two-time All-Star is “looking to move on” from Indiana. Appearing on “The Fat Joe Show” on Instagram Live on Wednesday, Oladipo addressed that report for the first time, as Chris Sims of The Indianapolis Star writes.
“I knew that question was coming. I don’t know what you’re talking about, man. I’m a Pacer, man. … I’m a Pacer,” Oladipo replied when asked about his future in Indiana and whether a move to the Knicks, Fat Joe’s hometown team, might be in the cards. “All these other rumors … I can’t control the rumors. I’m just focused on my knee.”
Oladipo is entering a contract year and reportedly plans to reach free agency in 2021 rather than negotiating an extension with the Pacers before then. That’s standard procedure for stars looking to maximize their earnings, but it has fueled trade speculation, especially given the team’s playoff struggles in recent years.
An Indianapolis Star report in July indicated that Oladipo’s top two priorities in free agency will be maximizing his earnings and putting himself in position to win championships. In his conversation with Fat Joe this week, the 28-year-old downplayed financial motivations, suggesting that he’s focused solely on winning.
“Charles Barkley is one of the greatest ever, for sure. But he don’t have a ring, though. … Not saying that Charles Barkley ain’t a great player, but at the end of the day, I want to be able to show my kids, when I have them, how great of a player I was,” Oladipo said. “And in order to do that, you gotta show them some hardware. So that’s what I’m locked in on doing, man. I want some hardware and I want a lot of hardware.”
If Oladipo is unconvinced that the Pacers have the pieces necessary to contend for a title, that would be a red flag for the front office, who won’t want to lose the standout guard for nothing in free agency. Oladipo’s assertions that he’s “a Pacer” are unlikely to bury these trade rumors, so the situation continues to be one worth monitoring.
Guarantee you he doesn’t wanna nor will be resign there…
Oladipo became a supposed star on pacers.. I don’t even classify him as a star.. a lot other players I’d rather give a max too.. he had one good year and then got hurt..now he thinks he’s a star.. next.. pacers should see what they can get for him in trade.. with them getting sabonis, they easily won the pg trade
they also got oladipo in that trade…and he made sabonis…if they loose him…they loose the pick and roll..because they run it together
I know Oladipo was part of trade.. What I was saying without Oladipo, them getting sabonis they won trade..
I don’t know if I would say they won the trade. Or at least I wouldn’t call them the biggest winner in that deal. OKC turned PG into Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and 6 first round picks. The Thunder won that deal by more than enough to offset the minor loss of Dipo and Sabonis, who didn’t really fit with their team anyway.
Lakers and Celtics are interested in Oladipo
The worst fit for him is Nets and Warriors
Kuzma and a 1st for oladipo would be nice. Gamble for lakers because he is coming off injury
Oladipo can show his kids all the jewelry in the world and that still won’t make him a better player than Charles Barkley.
I seriously do not understand the obsession of these guys with “the ring.” They have the ability to buy as many rings as they want and lie to the kids about it later. I have a baseball trophy in my den that I bought at a garage sale a long time ago. I thought it looked cool so I bought it. When someone asks, I don’t mention the garage sale. It’s human nature to exaggerate one’s accomplishments.
All this time I thought you WON that Cy Young Award!
You better believe I would be buying a Cy Young trophy if I found one at a garage sale. Unfortunately, this is just a Pony League All Star trophy. Still cool though
All eye wash here – he doesn’t want to be in Indy which is fine – I think Pacers can get a decent return.
Pair him and Turner for a legit guy – you just worry about them walking in FA as well.
He’s not getting any hardware with Pacers. Although he and Brogdon. Could make a descent backcourt. It seems Pacers are always in some kind of trade rumor. It seems they will likely move Turner. So I’m not sure Oladipo stays. He’s a solid player. Not sure he’s a max player. If Pacers get a good offer. I think he gets moved.
Athletes who want all possible rewards at the same time are a bit delusional and could be a red flag. However he might be letting Pacer fans down slowly. I’m not sure he’s so special anymore, but if so…
Dipo has one yr left at $21mil. Memphis can offer:
•Young championship-level talent
•expiring center Dieng to match salaries
•biggest need, veteran 2G that can shoot
Memphis could be an interesting landing spot for him, although Dieng is with Minnesota not Memphis.
You could do something like Justise Winslow, Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks for Oladipo. Although with Warren’s bubble breakout, I don’t know that I would want Winslow in Indy.
On a side note, Warren’s Bubble Breakout would be an excellent band name. Someone alert Chris Pratt.
Scratch that, I forgot he was dealt.
Will go out on a limb and say.. Danny Green, Kuzma, 2020 or later 1st for Dipo.
I’m wondering if Kuzma might be something if he can avoid the baseline and operate in the middle of the court. He makes corner 3s but seems quicker in the middle.
That quote about Barkley is startling to read. Such disrespect. Not even on his best day could Dipo match Charles as a player
This clown in his BEST year isn’t as good as CHuckster was in his WORST year……..laughable that he even thinks he’s good enough to mention Sir Charles………..Chuck was a top 5 player for a large chunk of his career. And when you consider that the TRUE goat , Michael Jordon played during Chucks career that’s really impressive.
Why compare players??? VO not worth a max deal…but very few are. If he won’t sign with Pacers…trade him. PG said the same BS….I’m a Pacer. Liar. We don’t miss that choking dog. Keep Sabonis for sure.
I know the Lakers traded a lot for AD but if they cools somehow make a trade for him I’d love for them to take a chance on him coming back the same from that injury. Just don’t know what they have to give up. Isn’t there some sort of rule against trading a certain amount of 1st rd picks in a row?