Victor Oladipo wants back in the NBA: four possible destinations

At 34, after years plagued by serious knee injuries, Victor Oladipo wants to try to return to the NBA. The former All-Star isn’t necessarily looking for a starring role, but rather a team willing to give him an opportunity.

In a letter published by The Players’ Tribune, Oladipo explained how difficult the past few years have been and why he has decided to return to basketball. Despite the questions surrounding his physical condition and ability to make an impact at the highest level, he already took an important step last season by returning to the court and playing 11 games with the Wisconsin Herd in the G League.

Now he will have to convince an NBA franchise that a player once considered one of the league’s best two-way guards can still be useful. Here are four possible destinations for his NBA comeback:

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat represent one of the most natural options, especially given Oladipo’s familiarity with the franchise after spending his final three NBA seasons in Miami. The organization already knows his personality and work ethic, while Dipo reportedly spent the summer working out at the Heat’s facility, allowing the team to evaluate his physical condition firsthand.

Even without the explosiveness he showed during his time with the Pacers, he could provide depth and experience to a completely revamped roster alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. If the Heat are satisfied with his workouts, they could be willing to take a chance on his comeback.

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings would offer a completely different scenario, with the team in full rebuild mode and a roster spot available following Russell Westbrook’s retirement. Oladipo wouldn’t necessarily need to make an immediate impact, but could primarily serve as a veteran presence for the many promising young players on the roster.

For a player coming back from major injuries like Oladipo, an environment where he isn’t required to make an immediate impact and doesn’t face instant pressure could be the ideal situation to rebuild his confidence.

Indiana Pacers

From an emotional standpoint, it’s hard to find a more meaningful destination than the Indiana Pacers, the team with which Oladipo became an NBA star and reached the peak of his career. In 2017-18, he averaged 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game in Indiana, while shooting 47.7% from the field and 37.1% from three-point range and earning his first All-Star selection.

A potential reunion would be even more intriguing with Haliburton’s imminent return after spending a season away from the court. And on a roster with championship aspirations, which at full strength had already shown it could cause plenty of problems for opponents, every piece could prove crucial.

Milwaukee Bucks

Another possible destination could be the Milwaukee Bucks, given that Oladipo has already been part of the organization through the Wisconsin Herd, their G League affiliate. That experience allowed the franchise to evaluate him directly on the court, which is particularly important for a player whose biggest question mark is his physical durability.

Unlike the Heat, having evaluated him in a competitive setting gives Milwaukee a significant advantage, as well as a potential path to continue monitoring his condition while allowing him to improve his physical preparation and game rhythm before attempting a comeback that, at 34, could represent the player’s final opportunity.