Two-time NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo took part in a “well-attended” private workout on Monday in Las Vegas, according to Jeremy Woo of ESPN, who says the veteran guard competed in a five-on-five scrimmage alongside a handful of international pros in front of representatives from many NBA and European teams.
Multiple team sources who attended the workout were impressed by how Oladipo looked, says Woo. The 33-year-old, who hasn’t played in the NBA since 2023, is hoping to make it back to the league after recovering from a series of knee injuries and was described as being in “excellent” shape on Monday, Woo adds.
In a Twitter post on Sunday, Oladipo said he feels “great right now,” writing that he believes he’s capable of helping a team and that his injuries are behind him. According to Woo, there’s a belief that the former No. 2 overall pick could end up on an NBA roster this fall for training camp.
Oladipo was one of the NBA’s best two-way performers in 2017/18, when he averaged 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.4 steals per game across 75 outings for the Pacers. He earned MVP and Defensive Player of the Year votes that season, winning the league’s Most Improved Player award and claiming a spot on the All-NBA third team and All-Defensive first team.
Oladipo made a second consecutive All-Star team for Indiana in 2018/19, but his season was cut short by a ruptured quad tendon, which sidelined for roughly a full calendar year. That quad tendon injury continued to be an issue after the guard eventually returned to action and required a second surgery in 2021.
Oladipo has appeared in just 102 total NBA games since sustaining that initial quad injury in January 2018, most recently suiting up for the Heat during the 2022/23 season. He sustained a torn left patellar tendon in his last game with the Heat in April 2023.
Clippers or Sixers to keep the status quo.
Bucks or Houston
Both are deep at guard, really bad take. Study up.
Normally I’d say yes but too many aging stars with injuries already. Pacers would be a fun story. Orlando could take a flyer. If Boston flipped Simmons… maybe. Dallas is my bet. I think they have minutes available for him. 10-12 minutes a game. No Dinwiddie no Irving.
His dream was to play for the Heat… he only got a few weeks to live that dream.. he heat need another depth guard…. if he can’t get lillard… and he’s healthy… the heat and him kinda owe it to each other
He’s the type of guy that would totally go back to the Heat. Good call.
At 33 he still has a shot. Working out is not the same as playing in the NBA. Yeah go to training camp and see how he looks.
what do you think about the Knicks taking him on to come off the bench?
I want to see him at training camp first. If he can seriously play. I definitely look at him as bench player.
If any team gives this guy a guaranteed deal they are absolutely out of their mind.
This has to be a one year minimum no guarantee thing until that date comes when contracts are guaranteed. Maybe February or whatever it is.
That’s the reality, but the NBA is not about reality (neither is baseball for that matter when it comes to signing pitchers.)
Some team will focus in on his incredible ability because he is a very talented player.
He has incredible athleticism, very fast and very quick. He can shoot he can score he can defend.
The agent will come in with highlight reels and 20 points a game Averages and wonderful highlights.
Who’s going to take the bait?
Dude every team would look at this guy for a guaranteed minimum contract. what are you talking about? he’s a perfect low risk high reward 1 year rebuild your value deal every front office covet.
“What am I talking about?” I spelled it out for you in my comment.
I gave a bunch of reasons.
What are your reasons why “any team” would take a flyer on him at a minimum guarantee?
Because he said he feels good “right now?” “He’s low risk high reward?” (Dude hasn’t played more than 40 games since 2018 or something close to that.)
OK fair enough I wrote it out for you. Good comment.
The Bucks might use him
I agree with stubby Bucks. Pistons could use a vet PG.
Bucks or wolves.
Intriguing – can he make a comeback?
I would guess he would want a situation where he would get enough minutes to get a larger guaranteed contract next off-season – he’s not at ring chasing level yet.
Young teams will shy away and true contenders won’t have the minutes for him.
Pacers would be great story and would have some minutes behind Mathurin at the 2 and be in a low pressure situation – but there would be some other teams as well.