Why Victor Oladipo may be stuck with the Rockets

Victor Oladipo was a late addition to the James Harden deal, as the Houston Rockets opted to send Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert to Indiana, as opposed to keeping them in Houston. The initial word among the Rockets and Oladipo was that both sides were giving one another the opportunity to feel each other out before making a long-term decision.

The Rockets later offered Oladipo a two-year extension worth $45 million, which is the most they could’ve offered at the time, although Oladipo rejected the offer. The Rockets have been shopping the former All-Star and All-NBA guard, and it’s recently been reported that the two teams with the most interest in Oladipo are the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat.

But the Rockets face a grim possibility of being forced to keep Oladipo, as it’s been reported by Matt Moore of the Action Network that Oladipo’s injury history could scare teams away from making a move for him altogether.

Why Victor Oladipo may remain on the Houston Rockets after the trade deadline passes

“The Rockets and Victor Oladipo are mutually interested in finding a new home for the former All-Star even if he’s still playing with the team, but the market has significantly dried up.

There’s a sense from sources close to several teams that Oladipo comes not only with injury concerns after his devastating leg injury two years ago, but that you need the right culture fit to accommodate him. Oladipo is shooting just 40% from the field this season.

There’s now a feeling that Houston is more likely to hold on to Oladipo, even if that means losing him in free agency this summer.”

Oladipo has played in 17 games with the Rockets, posting averages of 20.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, although he’s made just 38.4 percent of his shots and 30 percent of his 3-pointers. The latest news is that the Rockets are seeking a way to send their returns from an Oladipo deal to the Orlando Magic, with the goal being to acquire Magic 25-year-old forward Aaron Gordon.

If the Rockets aren’t able to move Oladipo in a deadline deal, they’ll always have the ability to work out a sign-and-trade deal in the offseason, which would still be much better than losing him altogether in free agency.