KEY POINTS

  • Oladipo may end up staying with the Houston Rockets until the end of the season
  • The Rockets' asking price for Oladipo is said to be expensive
  • The Rockets could try to re-sign Oladipo and make him part of their rebuilding plans

The future of Victor Oladipo remains doubtful although speculations are ripe that he will be traded by the Houston Rockets.

But for that to happen, NBA teams will have to shell out multiple first-round picks or a combination of a young player and future picks. However, that is only half the story.

Teams who plan to make a push for the 28-year-old guard need to take over his $21 million deal. Once that runs out by the end of the current NBA season, there is also no guarantee that the two-time NBA All-Star will re-sign with the team that takes him in this season.

If one is to consider the performance of the 6-foot-4 guard, he has been doing well since returning from an injury. A loot at Basketball-Reference shows Oladipo averaging 20.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 29 games. These are notable jumps compared to his career averages.

The current NBA season is not looking bright for the Rockets. They are almost at the tail-end of the NBA Western Conference with a 12-30 win-loss record. They are only 2.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves and five games behind the Sacramento Kings.

It would take much for the Rockets to crack the magic eight heading into the playoffs.

Several teams could use Oladipo. The Miami Heat loom as a sensible landing spot. The franchise has the young players that Houston wants. So far, nothing has moved.

Another team that explored possibilities with the Maryland native is the Golden State Warriors. However, that has fizzled with the Dubs finding the asking price of the Rockets too steep.

Victor Oladipo #7 of the Houston Rockets
Victor Oladipo #7 of the Houston Rockets Getty Images | Jonathan Bachman

Unless some team is willing to take the risk, there is a possibility Oladipo may end up finishing his current deal with the Rockets.

A buyout holds low chances, with the Rockets possibly ending up losing big.

There is a chance that the Rockets may have other plans. They could try and re-sign Oladipo at the end of the season and instead make him part of their rebuilding plans.

With no NBA teams coming forward, this could be part of Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s plans. The NBA trade deadline is on March 25.

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