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

The Houston Rockets appear primed to be one of the main sellers at this month’s trade deadline on March 25th, as they have lost 12 straight games and appear ways away from being a contender. The Rockets reached rock bottom during Sunday night’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, as they were blown out 133-84.

With a record of 11-22, the Rockets are almost certain to trade Victor Oladipo, who could be the best player available on the market, and especially the best wing. Oladipo, who was acquired in the James Harden trade, was recently offered a contract extension, which he declined, as he’s seeking a long-term deal, as opposed to the two years that the Rockets were offering.

4 teams that could be interested in making a deal with the Houston Rockets for Victor Oladipo

Questions remain about what exactly Oladipo’s market could look like, due to the rough start he’s gotten off to in the Space City, as he’s shooting just 39 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from long-range. On his signature Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explained the scenarios that could exist around the league among teams that are interested in adding Oladipo.

“I think at this point there are two different scenarios here. There are teams that might not be able to sign Oladipo in the summer and maybe they try to get him now.

But then there is also just the straight rental market. Is there a team out there that is like alright Victor Oladipo is highly incentivized to play well, we really could use a player to boost us in the second half, this is a high level rental.

Windhorst further provided a list of teams that could contact Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone about making a deal for Oladipo.

Next: No. 4

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

3. New York Knicks

Windhorst explained that the New York Knicks could also be a team that makes a run at Oladipo.

“Another team is the Knicks. They have all of that open cap space. It’s an easy trade for them to make. They have extra picks. The Knicks have two first-round picks, theirs and Dallas’.

And they have I think Detroit’s second-round pick, which right now would be in the low ‘30s. So they have some attractive pieces and some cap space to go hunting if they want.”

The Knicks have gotten off to their best start in recent years, as they hold the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference in Tom Thibodeau’s first season in the Big Apple. Part of the reason for New York’s success has been the play of Julius Randle, who has averaged 23.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, which led to his first All-Star selection of his highly productive career.

The Knicks have long been rumored to have been interested in Oladipo, and they have several assets that could intrigue the Houston Rockets’ front office, although it’s been reported that the Rockets aren’t interested in acquiring draft capital.

The Knicks would have to know Oladipo would be interested in singing a long-term extension to part with any of their young players, but such a move would be beneficial for both parties, as Oladipo is a proven performer and would certainly love the opportunity to play in the league’s largest media market.

Next: No. 2

2. Dallas Mavericks

Windhorst also mentioned the Dallas Mavericks as a team that should make a move for Oladipo.

“The more interesting team potentially would maybe be Dallas. Dallas needs something to spice them up. Dallas needs defense.

The Mavericks haven’t looked anything like the 2019-20 version of themselves, which had the best offense in NBA history. Part of the problem is that Stephen Silas, who ran the offense, left to become the head coach of the Houston Rockets.

The Mavs are currently slated to be a play-in tournament team, as they hold the ninth seed in the Western Conference, with a 17-16 record. The Mavs have reportedly been exploring trades for former All-Star forward Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed 14 of the Mavs’ 33 games due to injury.

As Windhorst mentions, the Mavs have been one of the worst teams in the league defensively, as they rank just 27th in defensive rating, which is something Oladipo can certainly help with, as he made the All-Defensive team in 2017-18. Even if Oladipo isn’t exactly the same defender as he’s been in the past, adding him would certainly help the Mavs improve defensively, while also adding another 20-point scorer.

Next: No. 1

1. Denver Nuggets

Windhorst was joined on the podcast by ESPN’s Royce Young, who mentioned the Denver Nuggets as a team that should want the Houston Rockets guard.

“One that jumps off the page to me is Denver. I feel like Denver is in need of a trade. They are in need of firepower.

They’ve needed wing help for two years now. I know they all like Facundo Campazzo and he’s fun to watch but I don’t know how much Mike Malone wants to play him many minutes in a playoff series.

And they’ve got young guys that they probably would be willing to part with to make a deal happen. They’ve got young players that could maybe compel the Rockets to take their offer.”

Windhorst mentioned a player that Denver could use as a centerpiece of a deal for Oladipo.

“Gary Harris has been involved in trade talks to a handful of teams in the last 6-8 months. He’s really struggled for the last year and a half and I just don’t think his value is that high. He’s got money left on the deal.”

Windhorst also explored the possibility of the Nuggets including several of the aforementioned younger players that Young referenced, starting with R.J. Hampton.

“If Houston thinks about that, maybe. Maybe Bol Bol. Maybe Hampton and Bol Bol.”

Young explained that the pressure and expectations could prompt the Nuggets to make a move for Oladipo, as they appeared to be on the rise after their postseason in the bubble, but haven’t looked like the same team thus far.

“They went to the Western Conference Finals, they’ve been disappointing this year, there’s a little bit of pressure building on them. I could see them being a player at the deadline.

The Nuggets might very clearly be looking at it as a pure rental. But they’re in that window phase.”

It’ll be interesting to see what the Houston Rockets do with Oladipo, as it’s also a possibility that they hold on to him. If they do trade him, which would seem like the best option, these four teams could be a likely destination.