Houston Rockets: The 3 options the Rockets have with Victor Oladipo

After Victor Oladipo rebuffed the Houston Rockets contract extension talks the franchise has begun to explore their options with the headliner from the James Harden trade. Oladipo, as it stands, looks like the most impactful player on the market right now but moving him at the NBA trade deadline is not the Rockets’ only option.

It shouldn’t be forgotten, just because Oladipo didn’t sign the Rockets extension doesn’t mean the two sides can’t come back in the offseason and work out a long-term deal. In many ways, the Rockets extension offer was a pipedream and a move designed to save face.

Due to NBA rules, the Rockets could only offer Oladipo a two-year deal worth up to $45.2 million, but in the offseason, Oladipo could land up to a five-year $195 million contract with the Rockets. There are legitimate reasons why Oladipo should have accepted the Rockets’ offer, but there are almost 150 million reasons why he rebuffed their advances.

It’s not uncommon for players to bet on themselves and it’s very likely that Oladipo will be able to land a larger contract in the offseason, even if the average annual value of $22.6 million of the Rockets’ offer won’t be blown away. By and large, players will take longer deals with a larger overall payout than a shorter one with a higher annual salary.

With Oladipo’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, the Rockets have to make a decision about what to do with the former All-Star. These are the three options the Rockets have with Victor Oladipo.

Next: Option #3