Victor Oladipo – Houston Rockets
Victor Oladipo was traded to the Rockets back in January as an extension of the James Harden-Nets trade, but his time in Houston could be limited. He is in the final year of his contract and with the Rockets desire to get younger, they could look to move him for more draft picks and young talent at the trade deadline.
One team that has been rumored to be interested in Victor Oladipo are the New York Knicks. Marc Berman of the New York Post reported the other day that, “Oladipo remains in play for the Knicks as the Rockets are expected to trade him at the deadline as they slide into oblivion.”
Not only could Victor Oladipo be a huge addition to the Knicks because he is a terrific one-on-one defender, but because he is a fantastic offensive talent as well. Since joining the Rockets, Oladipo has played in 15 games and has averaged 19.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists and has shot 38.7% from the floor.
It would be hard for the Knicks to convince the Rockets to trade Oladipo without giving up either Randle or Barrett in the process, but they could still potentially put together a trade with enough draft compensation for the Rockets to consider.
Trading for Oladipo is not going to make the Knicks immediate championship threats in the Eastern Conference, but it should make them a playoff team this season that prides themselves on the defensive end of the court.
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Not to mention, Victor Oladipo can be a player the Knicks invest in for the future and find a lot of success with. He has had his fair share of injuries over the years, but is still only 28-years old and when healthy, is one of the better two-way players in the NBA. The two-time All-Star can guard numerous positions on the court, as well as be a threat offensively with the ball in his hands, making him a great player to pair with the Knicks’ future All-Stars in Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett.
The Knicks have five draft picks in next year’s NBA Draft that they could use to acquire a player like Victor Oladipo and should do everything they can to bring in an NBA All-Star level talent. Oladipo can not only help change this Knicks organization but get a fresh start to continue his young, impressive career.
