In trading Victor Oladipo to Houston for Caris LeVert, the Indiana Pacers chose a younger man … [+]
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Probably lost in the sea of big names and scorching four-team Wednesday Wednesday James Harden mega blockbuster very interesting, simple for one exchange organized by the Indiana Pacers that took time a much more secure future for them.
Instead of holding Caris LeVert, a 26-year-old guard, after being part of Brooklyn Nets’ content package to get Harden from the Houston Rockets, they sent him back to Indiana for a 28-year, two-time All-Guard star Victor Oladipo, according to reports.
Both players have suffered serious injuries in the past, ACL Oladipo, LeVert’s leg, among other long-term bad eyebrows, but Oladipo is in the final season of a four-year contract, $ 85 million that will allow the group to strike free without hindrance next summer.
In a conversation with me back in September, the 2017-2018 NBA favorite player knew how important the current season would be for the rest of his career.
“I know it’s been a really big year, and I know I need to focus and take things to another level,” Oladipo said. “But what I do is I do at my best when my back is against the wall. I always feel like I am forgetful, scarce. I have always been like that all my life. But for now, it seems like another scale to me. I take this seriously, personally because next year is a big step for me in my career. I really care. And I look forward to it. I’m looking forward to the grid going up to it. ”
Oladipo certainly met that challenge with the Pacers. In nine games, he averaged 20 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game at 42.1% off the field and 36.2% from three. But there were rumors in the summer that he may be on the trade block and there were certainly questions about his future in Indiana.
Instead of losing it for nothing and then trying to reproduce that value in the free agent market next summer, the Pacers opted to flip Oladipo for a younger player at the same position in LeVert, who has two more years and $ 36.2 million left on his contract later this season.
LeVert has proven he can be a valuable scorer and ball handler in the league, averaging 18.5 points and six fans per game both starting and coming off the bench for Brooklyn this season. It will be interesting to see how Indiana uses it, whether in the same court as Malcolm Brogdon or using it off the bench.
Either way, the Pacers didn’t want to take any chances with Oladipo any longer, opting to take something sure that wouldn’t be as good rather than losing a major asset with nothing to lose. It’s an interesting issue of risk management as Indiana looks to compete in the Eastern Conference stacked with the long-term heart of All-Star Domantas Sabonis, Brogdon, Myles Turner and LeVert.