Indiana Pacers: 3 reasons why Victor Oladipo will be an All-Star next season
By Josh Wilson
Victor Oladipo is in a contract year next season
There is no motivator like money. And while Victor Oladipo will make a hefty amount of change next season ($21 million guaranteed), his next contract looms large.
In the NBA and in all sports, we see incredible and abnormal performances from players in the season preceding their free agency. When faced with the reality of having to prove their worth, many players work extra hard to set the market higher than it should be for themselves.
Nikola Vucevic comes to mind, putting up All-Star caliber numbers last season, securing a large contract, and taking per-game tips this year in every category.
The Detroit Pistons just traded away Andre Drummond in large part to avoid having to pay him after this surge season in a contract year.
Oladipo is entering a contract season that will make or break the money he is offered in free agency in the summer of 2021 alongside a host of star-level free agents.
Not only does he need to find a way to separate himself from the pack, but he needs to prove once and for all that he’s not feeling the detriments of the devastating quad injury he suffered in early 2019.
Oladipo was well on his way to proving the injury recovery was going swimmingly and that he could elevate back to his previous level of play, but the season being suspended halted his progression and acclimation back to the game.
Oladipo has everything to prove next season for himself, his team, and his future.