Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: Do not trade for Victor Oladipo

By Phil Ford

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 08: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers takes a shot against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 08, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 08: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers takes a shot against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 08, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

If Victor Oladipo becomes available this offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves should steer clear.

We’re finally less than two months away from the 2020 NBA Draft and it is still anybody’s guess as to what the Minnesota Timberwolves will do with the No. 1 overall pick.

There’s a slew of high-ranking prospects that the Wolves could choose from, they could trade down for pieces and a lower pick, or they could trade the top pick for an established NBA star to slot next to Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell to form a Big Three.

One of those stars may have just become available.

According to The Athletic’s Jared Weiss, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo is “looking to move on” next season.

The Wolves could pounce and make the Pacers a generous offer to land the two-time All-Star. A trade for Oladipo would include the No. 1 pick, a contract, and one of Minnesota’s young pieces, most likely Jarrett Culver or Josh Okogie.

On the surface, that looks like a pretty good deal for Minnesota, but upon a closer look, it’s a lot to give up for Oladipo.

To be fair, Oladipo has blossomed into a fantastic two-way player with the Pacers. He’s one of the best all-around guards in the league and a great defender. Oladipo made back-to-back All-Star teams in 2018 and 2019 and was All-NBA Third-Team, All-Defensive First-Team, and the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2017-18.

He would be a nice addition to the young core of the Wolves, but there are several red flags that should keep them from pursuing a deal.

The biggest reason the Wolves should not pull the trigger on a trade for Oladipo is his injury history. Oladipo ruptured his quad back in January 2019. He missed the rest of the season, and only just returned to the court this past January, playing in 19 regular-season games in 2020.

Oladipo struggled in his return averaging just 14.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in his return. It’s a small sample size, and obviously, he could return to his All-NBA play, but those numbers should concern any team thinking about trading away the number one pick.

Another thing that should make the Wolves cautious about making a trade is Oladipo’s contract. He’s only under contract with the Pacers for one more year at $21 million. That’s a whole lot of money to pay for a guy who might be a one-year rental.

The addition of Oladipo would make the Wolves a formidable team in the Western Conference, but they likely wouldn’t be a serious contender for a championship with a Big Three of Towns, Russell, and Oladipo.

So is one year of a possibility of 50(ish) wins and maybe the best-case being a trip to the Western Conference Finals enough to give up the rights to a player who could be a franchise cornerstone for the next decade? Probably not.

If Oladipo gives the team some kind of guarantee that he’ll re-sign in Minnesota before making the trade, and if he’s that desperate to get out of Indy, then maybe. But that’s a lot of ‘ifs’ and things to rely on.

If Oladipo were healthy, coming off of his All-NBA season, and under contract for a few seasons, then this deal should be made in a heartbeat.

Next. The Knicks are the Wolves least likely trade partner. dark

Unfortunately, it’s 2020 and not 2018, and making a deal for Oladipo would be a risky attempt at putting together a new Big Three while giving up a heck of a lot of viable young talent and assets in return.