The Philadelphia 76ers should pursue the Rockets’ new star shooting guard.
The Philadelphia 76ers lost out on the James Harden sweepstakes as he was traded to an Eastern Conference adversary in the Brooklyn Nets. All the Harden endorsers and Ben Simmons loyalists that support the Sixers as a fan can now move past the trade that could’ve been. The missed opportunity now leaves the Sixers back in square one, looking for a high quality three-level scoring to compliment Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and the rest of the team.
It isn’t all bad, misery or doom and gloom for the Sixers in this situation. Why wouldn’t they remain in contact with the Houston Rockets for not-so future trade talks? The Rockets now are the home of Victor Oladipo and there are 4 good reasons for the Sixers to trade for him.
4 reasons to trade for Victor Oladipo: Fit
Victor Oladipo is a legitimate star in this league on both sides of the floor and that’s especially evident offensively as his career has progressed. Oladipo can flat out score the basketball in a multitude of ways, create for his teammates and that’s exactly what the Sixers need. With it either being attacking in transition, pick and roll, isolation, cutting to the rim, or coming off screens, Oladipo can do it all. In his career, Oladipo is averaging 17.4 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game, 44 percent shooting from the field, 35 percent from 3-point rage and 79 percent from the free throw line for his eight-year career.
These numbers seem to be right on par so far this season. In 10 games, Oladipo is averaging 21.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 44 percent from the field, 37 percent from three and 71 percent from the free throw line. Insert them on the Sixers and the club’s outlook on the season is much brighter. We can only imagine what an Oladipo-Embiid pairing would be like. This tag team would send a big ripple effect throughout the team’s offensive versatility and fluidity.
As we know from watching Joel Embiid’s career, the big man has never a had long term pick and roll partner. This may not be long term either (I’ll explain later) but would still be greatly beneficial. Just by running pick and roll with Oladipo and Embiid the defense has a few things it has to think about. Oladipo’s ability to pull up from 3 or the midrange, to drive by his opponent, to dish out timely passes to the roll man, Embiid’s ability to pop out for a 3 or his patented mid-range jumper, to finish in many ways around the rim, and Embiid’s improved passing ability.
All of those options leaves the complimentary players on the Sixers in better positions to contribute. Tobias Harris’ scoring in whatever way the defense gives him, Simmons cutting or making an extra pass, Seth Curry’s or Shake Milton’s off-ball prowess, and so on. The point being is the Sixers are a deep team and can score now, currently averaging 113.6 points per game, but acquiring Oladipo’s talents would catapult them to greater heights.
4 reasons to trade for Victor Oladipo: Redemption
In the event the Sixers pull the trigger on this deal it would be a shot at redemption for the organization, the second reason to do this trade. It would be trying to apply what they learned from a somewhat similar situation with Jimmy Butler. Both players have (or had in Butler’s case now) questionable reliability in different ways, play similar positions, fit with the Sixers and both are free agents to be when being sought after by the Sixers.
This time would be different because there are new guys in charge in Philly. Of course, Elton Brand is still in position of power with the Sixers so he can give Daryl Morey and Doc Rivers a first hand experience of the Butler situation and what he learned from it. One thing being that the situation could play out just like Butler’s but that’s not gonna stop the team from trying to get the most out of an Embiid-Oladipo-Simmons trio. The guys would have to gel over the period of 3-4 months at least (regular season ends May 16).
At least acting on this move would benefit the team, the fans and putting small band-aids on the wounds of losing out on Jimmy Butler and James Harden. Living, learning and another chance would be the Sixers motivation in the decision making of acquiring Oladipo. The club has a puncher’s chance to win the Eastern Conference due to their play (sitting third in the standings currently) and the recent unpredictability of the conference in the previous two seasons. The Eastern Conference finals have been two different matchups in the previous two postseasons. With Oladipo, the Sixers could find themselves making it a third different matchup.
4 reasons to trade for Victor Oladipo: He has something to prove
I sort of gave a refresher earlier in this piece on Oladipo but failed to mention what he’s working against. Oladipo still may not be proven for the Sixers role in some eyes as he’s only a two time All-Star and hasn’t been one since 2018-19 due to injury. Oladipo suffered a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee. Ironically his roadblocks serve as the third reason for his acquisition and that’s something to prove.
Oladipo has to prove he can return to his peak playing ways, his durability, and he made the right decision. After being traded to the Houston Rockets, a report came out that Oladipo declined to sign a contract extension this past offseason. Oladipo will be on a mission to prove that he is worth whatever contracts he signs in the offseason coming up.
4 reasons to trade for Victor Oladipo: Expiring contract
The final reason in favor of trading for Victor Oladipo is his contract is expiring, as I just mentioned. The talented shooting guard will be in the market for a multi-year contract in the ballpark of $100 million or so. Damn near all of the NBA contracts are guaranteed. With his recent history, a team will not shell the kind of money he was projected to get before his injury unless he changes their mind.
It somewhat falls in the something to prove vein but it’s a little different here. I define it as Oladipo playing his way to another life-changing pay day. It’s a classic reason and narrative for trade idea of acquiring Oladipo being a good, calculated risk.
The trade is mutually beneficial and could elevate the Philadelphia 76ers to the Conference Finals, the Finals or winning the Finals. Just pushing a little more forward with your seriousness to contend is an encouraging step. It’s safe to say Victor Oladipo would be a definite upgrade for its current roster and worthy risk for the Philadelphia 76ers.