LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 06: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers reaches for the ball over Ricky Rubio #11 of the Phoenix Suns at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 06, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Pacers’ Victor Oladipo Is Backtracking, Says Source

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Apparently Pacers all-star guard Victor Oladipo was very anxious to get out of Indiana last season. The 2017-18 Most Improve Player of the Year and steals king was reportedly would go up to opposing players and ask if he could come work with them during games — even if his own teammates were around.

“It happened vs. the Toronto Raptors. It happened vs. the Miami Heat. It happened vs. the New York Knicks.

“Can I come play with y’all?” Or some iteration of that puzzling statement.

That’s what Victor Oladipo said — in front of Indiana Pacers teammates — increasing the agitation with the star guard in the locker room, three league sources with direct knowledge of the situation told IndyStar.”

In an interview with The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Oladipo denies to have requested a trade.

“I know there have been people saying that I have asked players to trade for me. That’s just not true, period,” Oladipo told The Athletic’s Shams Charania. “I love my teammates, I cherish the state of Indiana and I’m focused on leading this franchise to a title.”

According to a source I spoke to Sunday evening, Oladipo was indeed requesting to get out of Indiana.

“He would walk 樂威壯 up to players, and let it be known that he wanted out of Indiana. Even in front of his own teammates, he didn’t care,” said the Source.

When asked about Oladipo’s interview on Friday with The Athletic the Source said, “He is backtracking”

This off season Oladipo has been linked to the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and the Boston Celtics.

“Milwaukee Bucks are looking to add a high impact player at the guard position depending on cost & availability. I’m Told,” said Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. “Bucks are inquiring about Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chris Paul & Toronto Raptors icon Kyle Lowry.”

“Victor Oladipo has one year remaining on his contract with the Indiana Pacers, but he is reportedly “looking to move on” this off-season, according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic.

Weiss suggested that the guard could become part of a trade with the Boston Celtics, that could send Gordon Hayward to Indiana in a package that also included draft picks. 

According reports Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, “The Mavericks are looking all over for a secondary playmaking presence behind Luka Doncic; they’re chasing Indiana’s Victor Oladipo, Brooklyn’s Spencer Dinwiddie, and Chicago’s Zach LaVine. Whether any deal is completed before draft night remains to be seen.

Last season, Oladipo missed the majority of the season with the Pacers due to a ruptured quadriceps tendon. He would return during the 2019-20 season only playing 13 games before the NBA shutdown.

“I really want to play, and as a competitor and [a] teammate this is tearing me apart,” Oladipo told The Athletic. “I feel like I’m at a great place in my rehab and getting closer and closer to 100 percent. With all the variables, from how I have to build my 5-on-5 workload back up, to the increased risk of a soft tissue injury which could delay my rehab, and the unknown exact setup of the bubble, I just can’t get my mind to being fully comfortable in playing.”

Victor Oladipo was able play in a couple of the bubbles games against the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Houston Rockets. The Pacers would go on to be swept by the Miami Heat, and Oladipo played all four games.

What do you think?

Written by Landon Buford

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