With the 2023-24 NBA season nearly upon us, the Cleveland Cavaliers look to fill out the rest of the roster, as one spot is still open. Cleveland has already done an impressive job this offseason in upgrading the roster with additions like Max Strus, Georges Niang, Ty Jerome, Damian Jones, rookies Emoni Bates and Craig Porter Jr, and let’s not forget about former Cavs champion, Tristan Thompson.
Cleveland looks like they have made a push to prioritize shooting. With an emphasis on the offense, could another guard with a shooting average of 39.7 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from beyond the arc be the answer? That’s where Victor Oladipo comes in.
Victor Oladipo has been on the move this offseason. He finished this last season with the Miami Heat putting up an average of 10.7 points per game, with 3.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds. He played in a total of 42 games for the Heat who, unfortunately for them, came up short in the NBA Finals last year against the Denver Nuggets.
Oladipo, however, was not available for the Finals as he suffered a torn patella tendon in his left knee during Game 3 of the Milwaukee Bucks playoff series. During the offseason, Victor Oladipo was traded by the Heat along with two future second-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for cash consideration. Oladipo’s second time in OKC would not last very long, as he was moved once again to the Houston Rockets in another trade later this summer.
After weeks of trying to move on from Kevin Porter Jr. and his legal troubles – the Rockets were finally able to make something happen. Per Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets sent Kevin Porter Jr. and two future second-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladpio and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. OKC has announced they will be waiving KPJ after the trade.
With the announcement of the transaction, there has been speculation across the league on Victor Oladipo’s future with the Rockets. Could the city of Houston welcome him back with open arms? Or do the Rockets prioritize salary and buy Oladipo out? If the latter were to happen, Victor Oladipo could be a name the Cleveland Cavaliers take a look at to complete their roster as the 2023-24 NBA season is just on the cusp of beginning.
Throughout this piece we will look at what Victor Oladipo could bring to this Cavs team, and whether the addition is worth looking into or not.