Should The Cavaliers Explore Acquiring Victor Oladipo?
With a week until their 2023-24 season-opener, the Cleveland Cavaliers seem to have their first four guard rotation spots set.
Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell are slated to return as the team’s starting backcourt, while fellow returner Caris LeVert and newly acquired Ty Jerome appear to be Cleveland’s lead guards off the bench.
But with Ricky Rubio absent from the team indefinitely, could the Cavaliers use more guard depth?
In a recent Bleacher Report article, NBA writer Andy Bailey thinks that Cleveland could be a potential landing spot for former All-NBA guard Victor Oladipo.
In part, Bailey says:
"Of course, Oladipo probably wouldn’t have a huge role in this rotation, but that’s likely the case anywhere he goes at this point. If he can make life a little more difficult for opposing guards while relieving his fellow reserves of some defensive pressure in 10-15 minutes per game, that’d be a win.”
Mar 8, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives to the basket as Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) defends during the fourth quarter at Miami-Dade Arena.
© Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
The 31-year-old was recently traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets. As part of the deal, former Cavaliers first-round pick Kevin Porter Jr. was immediately waived from Oklahoma City.
As the second overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft, Oladipo nearly began his career in Cleveland. Instead, the Cavaliers drafted Anthony Bennett with the top selection.
In 504 career games, the 6-foot-4 guard has averaged 1.6 steals and 0.5 blocks per contest, which would instantly give Cleveland a perimeter defensive spark.
However, over the last five seasons, he has averaged fewer than 28 games played due to a bevy of injuries.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, “Oladipo has $9.5 million on an expiring contract and is rehabilitating a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.”
Given Oladipo’s apparently uncertain future, Cavaliers fans will have to see if the team considers acquiring him.
