Rockets rumors: NBA insider lists 4 teams that could pursue Victor Oladipo

4. Miami Heat

When Oladipo was first dealt to the Rockets, reports surfaced that he had his sights set on the Miami Heat and that he was disinterested in remaining with the Rockets long-term. Oladipo did his best to squash those rumors, but the interest is reportedly still there.

Windhorst explained why the Heat could be among the interested teams in Oladipo.

“Victor wants to play there. Miami has some contract ballast. They gave Meyers Leonard $9 million essentially to use in a trade.

I don’t think it’s any secret in the league that he has the desire to play in Miami. He’d like to go there in free agency and they are going to have cap space, so that may happen.”

Windhorst also outlined why the Heat could hold out on making a trade for Oladipo, with his contract set to expire, making him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

“Miami may say, why would we trade a good piece for him?

Let’s say hypothetically Houston said okay we’ll trade him but you have to include Kendrick Nunn, or something like that. They may say well we can just sign Oladipo next summer and keep Kendrick Nunn too. Why would we do both? But Miami for sure.

I sort of count them as a half team because I’m not sure they trade for him when they could sign him.”

If the Heat do make an offer for Oladipo, it almost certainly won’t include fan favorite Tyler Herro, as they weren’t interested in moving him for even James Harden. But with Miami currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, and seeking to defend their Eastern Conference championship against the likes of the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, adding Oladipo could be a smart move for the 17-17 Heat.

Next: No. 3