Victor Oladipo is the latest name to be linked to the Milwaukee Bucks for a potential trade, and there are three specific reasons why they should make a move for the two-time All-Star.
Since their season concluded, the Milwaukee Bucks have been surrounded by trade speculation as they look to retool their roster ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season. The most recent candidate is Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, who undoubtedly presents an interesting case.
In the latest episode of ‘The Lowe Post’ with The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, Zach Lowe of ESPN gave his two cents on the Oladipo trade speculation surrounding Indiana:
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"“I’ll give you a team I’m keeping my eye on with Victor Oladipo: Milwaukee. Just keeping my eye on them.”"
However, fans should not be ecstatic just yet. After all, these comments came in the form of speculation as the focus revolves around avenues teams like the Bucks can take to improve their roster this offseason.
Although there is no definite truth or reported interest to Milwaukee potentially pursuing a move for Oladipo just yet, it would not be a shocking revelation if they did inquire about the guard down the road.
Milwaukee has not shied away from their willingness to make some significant roster moves this offseason, and a trade of this magnitude would certainly be among the most prolific. Rarely do the small-market Bucks make a move to land a big-name player, with the most recent being Eric Bledsoe in 2017.
Whether it comes to fruition or not, here are three reasons that the Milwaukee Bucks should pursue a trade for Victor Oladipo this offseason.
Milwaukee Bucks: 3 reasons to pursue a Victor Oladipo trade – Affordability and value
One of the more apparent reasons that the rumors surrounding the Bucks and Chris Paul have died down recently is his price tag. Aside from the hefty amount of compensation and assets the Bucks would have to ship out to even get OKC’s attention, they would also have to bring in $85 million over the next two seasons for the 35-year-old point guard.
A player like Victor Oladipo, who will be on an expiring contract and comes with a $21 million salary, is far more affordable and that’s certainly more digestible for the Bucks. While that may pose questions regarding his long-term future with Milwaukee, this is an organization that is trying to win now with their long-term future surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo very uncertain at the moment.
Financially, a trade involving Eric Bledsoe and Donte DiVincenzo straight up works on paper for both sides, but the Bucks would undoubtedly have to sweeten the deal to fetch Indiana’s interest. That could prove challenging with the team’s limited assets, but Milwaukee’s general manager and one-time NBA Executive of the Year Jon Horst should not get counted out.
It is unlike the Bucks to swing for any top-tier stars on the trade market, but given everything that is at stake moving forward, it is time to flip the script. If Milwaukee is adamant about competing for a championship next season and making their long-term pitch towards Giannis Antetokounmpo, they need to bring in some top-tier talent alongside him.
Out of all the options that could be viable options available for trade this offseason, Oladipo and his contract have to be among the most desirable.
Milwaukee Bucks: 3 reasons to pursue a Victor Oladipo trade – Oladipo’s defensive prowess
The Bucks led the league with a historically great defense this season, and there’s no question that Victor Oladipo is a player that would fit right in.
It’s hard to think about now, given everything that has transpired in the time since, but Oladipo’s 2017-18 campaign saw him become an All-Star for the first time, receive his first and only All-NBA selection to date and earn an All-Defensive first team selection. All while leading the league in steals by averaging an astounding 2.4 thefts per game.
Having averaged 1.7 steals per game over his seven-year career, Oladipo’s knack for defending the perimeter in general has terrorized opponents into miscues on a nightly basis, even after suffering his devastating injury close to two years ago. As Caitlin Cooper of Indy Cornrows wrote after Oladipo’s first 13 games this season:
"“Oladipo has successfully forced a turnover on 81 percent of his attempted charges. For point of reference, that matches the rate he posted last season prior to rupturing his quad tendon, and after missing a year of basketball, he’s already nearly tallied as many charge calls to blocking fouls (13:3) in 23 fewer games (9:2).”"
If the Bucks do ship out Bledsoe and DiVincenzo this offseason, they’re going to have some holes to fill on defense, and Oladipo would certainly be a strong suitor. If Oladipo can regain that defensive presence if and when he is back to full strength, he would fit like a glove within the league’s best defense without question.
Milwaukee Bucks: 3 reasons to pursue a Victor Oladipo trade – Oladipo gives the Bucks the backcourt upgrade they need
After three straight seasons of postseason shortcomings, the writing appears to be on the wall when it comes to Bledsoe’s tenure with the Bucks.
It is an “open secret” that Milwaukee will attempt to trade the guard this offseason, and a player of Oladipo’s stature would certainly serve as an immediate upgrade while covering the holes that Bledsoe would leave behind if he were to get dealt.
Oladipo’s reputation has dipped in the past two seasons as a result of his ruptured quad injury, but when last seen fully healthy, the 28-year-old was among the upper echelon of shooting guards. Over his aforementioned career year in 2017-18, Oladipo averaged 23.1 points on .477/.371/.799 shooting splits, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.
The looming question is whether Oladipo can return to that level after playing just 55 games over the past two seasons and struggling to consistently show that caliber of player. For the Bucks, pursuing Oladipo would be the ultimate gamble and while there are clear and major risks as it regards to his future, it has the same chance of paying off as well.
At his best, Oladipo’s well-rounded and two-way abilities would be a natural complement alongside the likes of Antetokounmpo as well as Bucks All-Star forward Khris Middleton and a lethal trio like that could give Milwaukee their best chance to compete for a title yet.
While there is plenty to rave about when it comes a player like Victor Oladipo, he also has some clear and significant concerns. Stay tuned for that in the coming days as trade season heats up.