3 Rockets-Pistons trades involving Victor Oladipo

One of the more popular beliefs ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline on Thursday involves Victor Oladipo, who is a lock to be moved by the Houston Rockets. It’s been reported that fringe contenders from each conference are interested in Oladipo, much like the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference and the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference.

Oladipo has averaged 21.2 points with the Rockets, which represent his highest scoring outputs since the 2017-18 season in which he was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player, and has also added 5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds during his Rockets stint. Part of the challenge with any deal involving Oladipo is the fact that that his contract expires at the end of the season, meaning there’s a strong possibility that any team that trades for him could lose him in the end.

Oladipo’s name has been attached to the Miami Heat since he landed in Houston, which many attribute to his close relationship with Heat star Jimmy Butler. Although Oladipo’s preferred destination might be in Miami, we’ve seen how that doesn’t always mean the player will end up there.

3 trades between the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons involving Victor Oladipo

One recent example was Paul George, who was moved for Oladipo ironically, as George reportedly wanted to join the Los Angeles Lakers when his contract expired, and ended up resigning with the Oklahoma City Thunder, who ended up trading for him despite his rumored interest in LA. Not to mention the fact that whichever team holds Oladipo’s Bird’s rights will be able to offer a fifth year, which could net Oladipo an extra $20-30 million potentially.

One of the teams that may be thinking along the same lines as Oklahoma City in 2017 is the Detroit Pistons, who reportedly have interest in adding Oladipo, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Detroit is an interesting destination because they don’t have much to offer to clear way for Oladipo’s $21 million, but their general manager Troy Weaver was in Oklahoma City at the same time as Oladipo, so the two have a prior relationship.

With the Pistons’ rumored interest in the Houston Rockets guard, let’s take a look at a few deals that could be reached between the two teams involving Oladipo.

Next: No. 3