Miami Heat
The Miami Heat acquired Victor Oladipo before the NBA trade deadline in exchange for Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk and a 2022 first-round pick. It was a worthwhile gamble, as it didn’t cost a whole lot and the Heat gained Oladipo’s Bird Rights in the process.
The former Indiana Hoosier struggled in his short stint with the Heat, but that shouldn’t keep them from trying to retain him. If the Heat weren’t interested in keeping Oladipo long-term, they wouldn’t have pushed to acquire him when they did.
They like him as a player and despite the injury should still have a degree of interest in signing him. Being able to oversee some of his rehab also gives Miami a leg up, as they can see firsthand how he is progressing as the summer goes on.
On the court, he fits the Heat style to a tee. He has some similarities to Jimmy Butler, but whereas Butler is more renowned for his defense, Oladipo would give the team a little more of a diverse skill set offensively.
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Having his Bird Rights will also enable the Heat to complete other transactions and go above the salary cap to sign Oladipo, so they can wait things out as long as another team doesn’t come with an offer Oladipo and his team like more.
