Indiana Pacers: Is life without Victor Oladipo a possibility?

The Indiana Pacers are facing a bleak future surrounding Victor Oladipo

The most important offseason move for the Indiana Pacers was to decide on Victor Oladipo. Does he sign an extension, or will you trade him while you can get a decent return? The speculation has been that Victor Oladipo would indulge in the free-agent market following the 2020-21 season. According to Jared Weiss of The Athletic, Oladipo plans on moving on from the Indiana Pacers.

As of now, this is just mere speculation but let’s assume it’s true for the sake of a conversation. This is a blessing in disguise for the Pacers. Why? Because the Pacers’ worst enemy is……the Pacers. They already lowballed Oladipo and classified it as “starting negotiations.” PTSD from Playoff P could have lingered into another Cold War negotiation between the Pacers and their disgruntled star.

Given how Victor handled the decision to play in the Orlando bubble, this information isn’t farfetched. Oladipo, if true, would save a lot of time and energy for both parties involved. To be fair, he has earned the right to weigh all of his options. This will be his first unrestricted free agency and maybe his only one as a highly touted recruit.

While Vic is a posterchild for the face of a franchise, the days of him being the #1 option are in fair question. We’ve yet to see if Vic can return to his All-Star glory since his injury two seasons ago.  Due to Covid-19, his sample size of progression was as big as a mustard seed. Nonetheless, he will want All-Star money which the Pacers cannot simply afford to gamble.

Last year, the Pacers were on pace for a 50-win season despite him not playing until after the New Year. In addition, their worst stretch of basketball was a six-game losing streak trying to get Oladipo back in rhythm. The emergence of Domantas Sabonis along with Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. Warren seemed formidable until the playoffs.

To be very clear, this roster didn’t have championship aspirations with or without Oladipo. If moving him gets you worthy future assets, then so be it. The East is top-heavy, so a playoff berth is pretty much automatic. It makes no sense to hire a new coach without the necessary pieces to make that system work.

As mentioned before, this is not uncharted waters for GM Kevin Pritchard. The last time he was faced with this situation he finessed Paul George into two All-Stars. This time may not be as rewarding but history has earned KP the benefit of the doubt. So many questions will derive from this decision. Does this team go into rebuild mode? Who else will be moved as a result of this? Will the drama of constantly losing talent scare away other free agents? Does this affect the coaching hire? Find out on the next episode of Dragonball Z!