Pacers GM Hints at Attending Victor Oladipo’s Workout, Sparking Reunion Speculation
Could a reunion be in the cards for the Indiana Pacers and former All-Star Victor Oladipo?
With All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton out for the entire season due to a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the NBA Finals, the Pacers are left in need of guard depth. Currently, they have just two guards likely to play significant roles: Andrew Nembhard, who will step into the starting point guard spot, and T.J. McConnell, who will back him up.
As Nembhard takes over the point guard duties, the shooting guard position also looks thin. Could this create an opportunity for the Pacers to bring back Oladipo?
During an appearance on the Setting the Pace podcast, Pacers GM Chad Buchanan revealed that the team had attended a recent workout by Oladipo in Las Vegas, where he’s attempting to make an NBA comeback.
Oladipo, once the centerpiece of the Pacers’ offense, was a star before a series of debilitating injuries derailed his career, most notably a serious quad injury. Buchanan clarified that the Pacers are keeping an eye on players who could potentially strengthen their roster, with Oladipo being one of the names on the radar.
“We get tied to him because he is obviously a former player of ours,” Buchanan said.
However, Buchanan emphasized that there’s no immediate move in the works. Several other teams were also at Oladipo’s workout, and the Pacers will only pursue him if they believe he can still contribute.
Once a dynamic two-way player, Oladipo was known for his ability to run an offense, score from all areas, and lock down opponents on the perimeter. But his injuries have taken a toll on his athleticism, and his style of play—largely reliant on his physical abilities—hasn’t been the same since.
Oladipo hasn’t played since the 2022-23 season, where he spent much of the year as a bench player for the Miami Heat.
That said, it might be worth the Pacers’ while to take a chance on Oladipo. If he can still defend effectively on the perimeter and provide scoring off the bench, he could offer a significant upgrade over Ben Sheppard.
With the need for ball-handlers in their rotation, adding Oladipo could help fill that gap—especially since Sheppard doesn’t provide much in the way of playmaking. The Pacers may want to consider him if they feel he can still contribute to their guard depth.
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