Heat trade Victor Oladipo, draft compensation to Oklahoma City Thunder
Victor Oladipo has a new home, even if it remains to be seen when he’ll play.
The Miami Heat are sending Oladipo and draft compensation to the Oklahoma City Thunder, ESPN reported.
According to ESPN, the Thunder will then take on Oladipo’s $9.45 million contract for the 2023-24 season, creating a trade exception for Miami.
In 42 games last year, the 31-year-old shooting guard averaged 10.7 points and 3.5 assists.
Oladipo’s health remains a question mark heading into next season after he tore his left patellar tendon in the Heat’s first-round upset over the Milwaukee Bucks.
In Game 3 of the opening round, Oladipo landed hard with 3:56 left in the fourth quarter, and instantly grabbed his left knee.
Though a stretcher was taken out, he walked back to the locker room with an assist.
He had surgery on the injury, but there is no clear timetable for his return.
The guard has battled injuries — with three surgeries in four years — since 2019, and he has not played over 42 games at any point over the last five seasons.
In 2019 and 2021, he suffered right quadriceps injuries, which both required surgeries.
When he’s been able to stay on the court, Oladipo has been a force on the offense end, averaging 16.9 points and 3.9 assists per game over his career.
The No. 2 overall pick by the Orlando Magic in 2013, Oladipo has twice an All-Star with the Indiana Pacers.
It was an active first night of free agency for Miami, which saw Gabe Vincent agree to a reported three-year, $33 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Max Strus is also expected to depart in a sign-and-trade, per Yahoo.
But the Heat did bring Kevin Love and Josh Richardson back into the fold on two-year deals, multiple outlets reported.
