Victor Oladipo has not been with an NBA team since being traded to the Miami Heat in 2023. He was waived in February 2024 and has been working hard to return to the NBA ever since. Currently, he is finding a way out by playing for the G League’s Wisconsin Herd.
The 2013 draft was a very important year for the NBA as it was the year Giannis Antetokounmpo was in the NBA. He was the 15th overall pick, a byproduct of some brilliant scouting by the Milwaukee Bucks, but he is clearly the most successful player in this class.
In the same class, Victor Oladipo was selected second overall out of Indiana University. He didn’t have much success during his time with the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder. However, Oladipo fulfilled his potential, playing for the Indiana Pacers and winning the Most Valuable Player Award in 2018.
Unfortunately for Oladipo, he suffered multiple injuries that robbed him of his best years. He played for two other teams after his time with the Pacers, but never reached All-Star level again. Now, at age 33, he wants to return to the NBA, and a run through the G League seems to prepare him for that.
Despite rumors that Oladipo is trying to join the Cleveland Cavaliers’ roster, it appears he is working his way through the Bucks’ system. He is currently signed with the Bucs’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.
He’s the biggest name on the roster, joined on the same team by 2023 lottery picks Johnny Davis and Alex Antetokounmpo. Oladipo will need to impress the Bucks’ front office in order to be called up to the first team.
That seems unlikely considering the Bucks have nine guards on their roster, led by Ryan Rollins, Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green.
Still, that won’t stop Oladipo from trying to regain his spot in the league. Because if he’s hard enough, other organizations might come knocking on his door.
He has no choice but to do so, as the Bucks are not his only option and he needs to continue playing well to get an offer from a team. Oladipo can still compete with the big boys because of his performance during the NBA preseason while playing for the Chinese team, the Guangzhou Long Lions. If he can bring that level of play to the G League, people might not worry about his age.
In terms of pure talent, it’s surprising that Oladipo is no longer on the team. He has a natural scoring talent and can do it at all three levels. Defensively, he is a hard-working stopper who can play with any guard or wing.
In terms of intangibles, Oladipo is working hard to become one of the most impactful players. He wasn’t the most talked about player during his time with the Magic and Thunder, but he made a difference with his hustle play. That never left him, even when he was a star player at Indiana.
He has a hard chance to shine, but he needs to convince one of the 30 front offices that he deserves the spot.
It will be a big challenge, but Oladipo intends to work hard for a chance to play in the NBA again, much like Dwight Howard and Isiah Thomas did when they competed for a spot in the league late in their careers.