The trade rumors surrounding Victor Oladipo died down to some extent as the 2020 offseason progressed. Reports suggested that he had hit it off with new Pacers head coach Nate Bjorkgren, while Oladipo himself said he had never told the team he wanted to be elsewhere.
Still, that doesn’t mean everyone is convinced that he’ll play out his full contract year with the Pacers. One NBA executive recently predicted to Bob Kravitz of The Athletic that Indiana will trade the two-time All-Star by the March 25 trade deadline: “He’s gone. They’ll move him.”
Kravitz isn’t ruling out the possibility of Oladipo thriving under Bjorkgren and deciding that he wants to remain the Pacers long-term, but predicts a deadline deal. No matter what happens, it’d be a win-win situation for Oladipo and the Pacers if the 28-year-old has a strong bounceback season in 2020/21 — it would make Indiana competitive on the court, increase Oladipo’s trade value, and increase the likelihood of signing a lucrative long-term contract when he becomes a free agent in 2021.
Here’s more from around the Central:
- The Bucks‘ suffered a heartbreaking opening-night loss to Boston on Wednesday, but they got a good look at what newly-acquired guard Jrue Holiday brings to the team, writes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Holiday commands respect as a shot creator, giving Milwaukee an added option on offense and taking some of the pressure off Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, as Nehm observes.
- Fourth overall pick Patrick Williams was immediately thrust into the Bulls‘ starting lineup in his first game as a pro on Wednesday. K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago provides a few reasons for why it makes sense for Williams to be a starter, noting that his strengths and weaknesses are a better fit for the first unit.
- In case you missed it, a report on Thursday indicated that Cavaliers swingman Dylan Windler, a first-round pick in 2019, suffered a fractured hand on opening night. Windler missed his full rookie season in 2019/20 due to a leg injury.
Bulls
Williams okay 33 minutes
Bench Otto Porter
Trade Porter?
Porter is an expiring contract so yeah, they will ship him off if they find a good trade, otherwise use the cap space next summer.
The Bucks‘ suffered a heartbreaking opening-night loss to Boston on Wednesday, but they got a good luck at what newly-acquired guard Jrue Holiday brings to the team
….a horseshoe? 4 leaf clover?
Facepalm. Fixed, thanks!
hey luke… merry christmas, can u fix or teach sillyman how to write?? thank you.
Just messin Luke…..not a grammar nazi but made me laugh when I read it. Merry Christmas.
Oladipo looked playing. He was laid back in preseason gms. I guess it’s going to take awhile. To see the real Oladipo. If he’s healthy Oacers should keep him. They should give this team a chance to jell. Different guys have been hurt, just got Warren. But all you hear is who they want to trade. Considering it’s not the NY media. Makes me wonder where all this is generated from.
Na. Dipo should sign elsewhere…mavs or nuggets makes sense…
I think he should resign. They got some good players their. Couple of all stars. Surrounded by good players. Could be a competitive team in the east for years
Wasn’t a Williams guy in draft. Gotta admit he’s looking like big upside one day. Wiseman has also looked gd. I thought he was best in draft. You can’t teach size, it still matters in NBA.
Otto Porter and Lauri Markeneen for DeJounte Murray, Rudy Gay and a second round pick
Bulls get Murray a solid young PG that everyone calls under rated. He’s very good defensively and has a good passing game but looks like he needs some developing. Would be a great backcourt fit next to LaVine. Gay fills in some minutes at the 3/4 spot and is a good vet on and expiring deal.
Spurs get some much needed shooting and spacing with this move. Spurs would have a much stronger starting and finishing 5 of White, DeRozan, Porter, Markeneen and Aldridge. Some experience and youth, and much more spacing for DeRozan. Could potentially steal a 7-10 spot for the play in tournament. But if not they would have heaps of salary cap money to spend with DDR Aldridge and Porter all on big expiring deals. Plus Markeneen as a young player could be retained and grow with Pop.
Depends how well Pacers do. If they in top 3 of East I think they resign