Victor Oladipo, waiting for the Houston Rockets, recently turned down a maximum two-year contract extension of $ 45.2 million.
As expected, sources in Oladipo are striving for a long-term deal, something the Rockbar will not allow to offer itself until the off-season through the collective bargaining agreement.
Oladipo is in the final year of a $ 85 million four-year deal, which leaves the Rockets ahead of the March 25 trading deadline – including whether they will make him available in trade talks. The transition state of the Rockets roster makes it likely that they will listen to overtures as they get to know Oladipo – and he gets to know – since the mid-January trade that took him out of Indiana as part of the James Harden trailer.
For the Rockets, in the midst of the post-Harden and Russell Westbrook series, there are a number of options with Oladipo, including weighing its market value for the trade deadline, to aggressively pursue a pursue long-term agreement and work with Oladipo to regain value in off-season bargaining or trade talks or to let him run to use the cap on other players in free agency.
It is typical that teams become more focused on trades closer to the deadline, which is still just under four weeks away. Houston has yet to engage with teams on trade talks involving Oladipo, sources said.
Nevertheless, Oladipo (28) has the chance to become one of the best two-way players available on the deadline or free agency. Miami and New York are one of the teams that had an interest in Oladipo, and both have the opportunity to sign him straight in the summer.
Before the free institution began, Houston could afford as much as a $ 113 million four-year extension; once a free agency arrives, Houston could offer up to four years, $ 151 million or five years, $ 195 million.
Oladipo averaged 18.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 13 games with the Rockets this season. For his nine-year career, including interceptions with Orlando, Oklahoma City and Indiana, he averaged 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Oladipo also showed the ability to be a top defender.
Bobby Marks, inside the front office, contributed to this report.