The Indiana Pacers faced an uneasy situation with Victor Oladipo in the NBA bubble where his commitment to the organization appeared questionable. There appears to be a chance he could be on the move this offseason—- potentially Myles Turner as well.
According to IndyStar’s J. Michael, the Pacers have ‘often’ discussed several three-team trade packages that for Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner during the NBA offseason. Teams are still calling about the two-time All-Star’s availability in trade talks.
There are other factors to consider going forward, but Oladipo has been discussed often, including in several three-team deals along with Myles Turner, league sources tell IndyStar.
There still are incoming calls to find out his availability.
It remains unlikely for a contract extension to get done between Oladipo and the Pacers. That creates the need for Indiana to explore potential trade options, but the market has seemingly been underwhelming for him.
Oladipo has yet to show he is close to being back at his pre-injury form— prompting teams to use a ‘wait and see’ approach. Meaning the Pacers could finish the offseason without a contract extension in place and with him still on the roster.
RELATED: 5 Trade Options Pacers Should Pursue For Victor Oladipo
If the Pacers were to keep Oladipo on the roster heading into the upcoming NBA season, the attention would immediately shift to the trade deadline. Regardless, it hurts both sides if he is unable to show flashes of being the All-Star guard he blossomed into when he first arrived to Indiana.
In the meantime, Turner is a potential trade option for teams around the NBA seeking a stretch-five that can protect the rim. The Pacers have always been reluctant to move on from the NBA’s 2018-19 leading shot blocker due to his importance tying the unit together.
RELATED: Trade Interest For Myles Turner Remains ‘Extremely High’
The impressive level of play TJ Warren provided the Pacers slotting in at the four spot in the NBA bubble only adds further reason for intrigue to the situation. The best course of action for Indiana is to pick between Domantas Sabonis, who earned an All-Star nod last season, or Turner.
By holding onto both Myles Turner and Victor Oladipo entering the upcoming NBA season, the Indiana Pacers run the risk of teams seeing how their two-big setup doesn’t work and that Oladipo is no longer the same player. Both circumstances would lower their leverage in trade talks.
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