Could Lakers Pursue Victor Oladipo In NBA Free Agency?

Victor Oladipo, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

There are going to be a lot of people keeping an eye on the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. It will be fascinating to see what they do with their roster in the upcoming summer after they fell so short of expectations during the 2021-22 NBA season.

Los Angeles entered the season as title favorites but failed to even make the postseason. They didn’t even qualify for the NBA Play-In Tournament, as they plummeted down the standings in the final weeks of the campaign.

Fixing this roster is going to take a miracle. Better health would certainly help turn things around, but this is a team that needs a complete overhaul. That is easier said than done, as the Lakers will not have many avenues to go down when it comes to upgrading the team.

Capped out and lacking tradeable assets, the front office will have to get creative in free agency to add some talent to the team. It is certainly a possibility to get lucky in free agency, they did it last year when they signed Malik Monk. It isn’t a sustainable way to succeed, but the Lakers will certainly be giving it a try again this offseason.

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One player that could fit the bill is Victor Oladipo. The Los Angeles Lakers were mentioned as a possible landing spot for him this offseason and it would certainly make for an intriguing destination for the former All-Star.

Oladipo returned this season after needing to undergo another quadriceps procedure. He looked solid in the regular season and was a big reason that the Miami Heat put away the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5 of their first-round series.

Despite not having Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler in the lineup, the Heat got the job done. Victor Oladipo scored a team-high 23 points, showing that he has something left in the tank to offer teams.

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If he plays well in the postseason, he could earn himself some extra money in free agency this offseason. Landing a multi-year deal, especially with how the last few seasons have gone for him, is likely his goal. But, if he wants to maximize earnings, he could sign a one-year prove-it deal and re-enter free agency in the summer of 2023 when there will be more cap space to spend.

A one-year prove-it deal is something that could work for the Lakers and Oladipo. They would be able to provide him with rotation minutes right from the start, as he could be the starting shooting guard depending on how things shake out for the purple and gold this offseason.

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His skillset would thrive alongside LeBron James. He is an improved 3-point shooter and can get after it defensively. He can wear many different hats, as he has been a go-to No. 1 scorer, a facilitator, and a 3-and-D player.

That kind of versatility is certainly something the Los Angeles Lakers could use more of. If it comes at an affordable price, as Victor Oladipo very well may, it is even better. There are some risks when it comes to him, as the injuries are a red flag, but those are the kind of risks Los Angeles has to be willing to take if they want any chance of turning things around next season.

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