Do you remember the glorious days of 2018? If so, you will undoubtedly remember Victor Oladipo, the star of the Indiana Pacers team that took a prime LeBron James to seven games. After injuries and burnt bridges, both could benefit from burying the hatchet and coming together for another run at a title.
Victor Oladipo first arrived in Indiana as the primary return for Paul George. He was dumped to the Pacers alongside Domantas Sabonis in what was widely hailed as a mediocre return for someone who would go on to finish top-three in MVP voting that year.
However, despite initial skepticism, Oladipo broke out as the leading option for a Pacers team that took the world by storm. Finally showing the promise that had once made him a top-two pick, Dipo made the All-NBA third team while pushing Indiana all the way to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Unfortunately for the Pacers, they faced LeBron James. Armed with what was the worst supporting cast of his career, James was forced to play all 48 minutes in the closeout Game 7.
With a career-best season in the rearview mirror, Oladipo's career was immediately derailed by a devastating patellar tendon injury that he would never fully recover from. While he played a few more years for the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets – and eventually even the Wisconsin Herd, the G-League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks – he would never get back to the level he once reached.
Now, he's searching for a place to make his NBA comeback.
Coming home
When Victor initially joined the Pacers, it was a homecoming to the state of Indiana, having spent his college years as a Hoosier.
Once a potential franchise cornerstone, the expectations would be lower. On the Pacers bench, Oladipo could join old teammate TJ McConnell as the leaders of a unit that simply needs to be good enough.
The Pacers lack any real creation in their reserves, and their backup wing spot is a real issue, even if it has a likely answer. Oladipo could immediately provide an upgrade in both regards.
The question should be whether a now dilapidated Oladipo is worth an uber-valuable last roster spot. If the answer to that question is anywhere near a maybe, it makes sense to bring the former franchise legend back, even if it's just on a two-way or exhibit-10 deal.
Difference makers don't grow on trees. Neither do storybook endings.
This is an opportunity for both.
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