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2017-18 Player Review: Victor Oladipo

By Jonathan Matthes

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 27: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 27, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers 121-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 27: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 27, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers 121-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Victor Oladipo Indiana Pacers
DENVER, CO – APRIL 3: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Denver Nuggets on April 3, 2018, at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

One of the greatest things Sam Presti ever did for the Pacers was signing Victor Oladipo for the 4 year, $84 million contract he inked on October 31, 2016. Because of that Oladipo is one of the biggest bargains in the NBA, saving the Pacers around $22 Million over the next three years. And that’s a conservative estimate based on maximum salaries.

His contract will afford Kevin Pritchard much flexibility in constructing a contender around him. He already has two 22-year old Centers whose primes are a half decade off into the future. The culture he helped craft will be appealing to most free agents and other players longing for greener pastures.

The trick, for Pritchard, will be unearthing a second all-star level player to serve as a running mate for Oladipo. Someone who can average in the 17-20 point range would be a boon for the Pacers. It will also be necessary. Indiana can ill-afford to trot out another roster that plays as incompetently without Victor as the 2017-18 batch was. The team doesn’t have to win every game he misses, but they can’t lose them all either.

There will be plenty of options for Pritchard to work with (we here at 8 Points, 9 Seconds will be highlighting a few). Atlanta’s Dennis Schroder has already said he would want to play in Indiana. Charlotte’s Kemba Walker has plenty of rumors, Miami’s Goran Dragic should have more, Our Tony East just made the case for Washington’s Otto Porter. There will surely be more, and Indiana should have the ammunition to make something happen. The trick for Pritchard is to discern the right player. Nail it and the Pacers are a contender in the East, miss it and it threatens the great culture that was built this season. No pressure.

But, Indiana would never even be in this position without Oladipo. Vic makes the search for a second star realistic, and he also makes Indiana a much more appealing free agent destination in the summer of 2019. Thanks to his stellar play and team friendly contract, all of these options all possible.

Next: Bojan Bogdanovic's season review

Further positive reinforcement will come from Victor Oladipo if he’s able to successfully transform his game again over a summer. Last offseason, after seeing the preparation Russell Westbrook exerted, Oladipo reformed his entire off-season program. After seeing what LeBron James was able to do in the Quarterfinal, Vic found a new benchmark. If he can hit that benchmark, prepare yourself for another glowing recap next year.

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