Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: Where things stand with popular trade candidates
Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: Where things stand with popular trade candidates – Victor Oladipo
The future of Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo has been a hot topic in this simmering offseason and the Bucks have grown as a link to the two-time All-Star in recent weeks.
Lowe was the first to tip off the Bucks as being a potential landing spot for Oladipo, which was then followed by The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor relaying that both sides have discussed the availability of the 28-year-old.
Via Lowe’s recent piece, the Bucks have their eyes on Oladipo, but notes that no significant discussions have taken place between both sides:
"“The Bucks are also eyeing Indiana’s Victor Oladipo, though no substantive talks with the Pacers have taken place, sources say. Other teams are monitoring the Oladipo situation, but several of them would like to see Oladipo in action before engaging Indiana, sources say.”"
The conflicting reports about where discussions stand aside, acquiring Oladipo comes with a separate set of challenges to that of Bogdanovic.
For starters, Oladipo is entering the final year of his deal with an expiring salary of $21 million. While that’s certainly digestible from a Bucks perspective as they have pieces and salaries to make that work, they don’t have the pieces that would interest Indiana as Lowe later went into in his piece:
"“The broader issue is what Milwaukee can offer for Oladipo (or Jrue Holiday) — something like Eric Bledsoe, Donte DiVincenzo, filler salary, and an extra first-round pick (or two) that will be low if Antetokounmpo stays. Bledsoe’s trade value has cratered. The Pacers are probably not in any hurry to reunite the Malcolm Brogdon/Bledsoe backcourt; would Milwaukee have to find a three-team deal sending Bledsoe elsewhere?”"
That goes on top of the long-term questions over Oladipo’s health and durability that makes him such a risky player to commit to under the kind of intense pressure the Bucks are feeling this offseason.
Of course, that doesn’t discount that, at his best, Oladipo provides the necessary skills that the Bucks covet as they look to reshape their roster. Whether we’ll see that version of Oladipo consistently and for the rest of his career is the ultimate question.