Heat fans hoping for a reunion with former guard Victor Oladipo may need to look elsewhere, as a recent update has all but closed the door on his return to Miami.
According to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, the chances of Oladipo rejoining the Miami Heat are slim to none. “While Victor Oladipo has indicated on social media that another comeback is in the works, that Heat ship likely has sailed,” Winderman wrote. Despite this, Winderman noted that many still wish him well in his recovery.
Oladipo, who has been sidelined since the 2022-23 season due to a torn patellar tendon, recently posted a video on Instagram showing him back on the court, working out, and preparing for a return to professional basketball. However, even if the Heat were interested in bringing Oladipo back, significant obstacles stand in the way.
Winderman explained that the Heat’s current financial situation, particularly their position against the luxury tax’s second apron, essentially rules out adding any new players without making a trade first. He pointed out that even a minimum contract would be difficult to accommodate under these conditions.
“While they could, the Heat’s position against the luxury-tax’s second apron essentially precludes bringing in any player, even at the minimum,” Winderman noted. “At this point, it almost doesn’t matter who comes available on the buyout market or otherwise. The Heat, failing a trade, are basically locked into the 14 on the roster under guaranteed contract.”
Oladipo, a two-time All-Star, was once a standout two-way player in the NBA, but his career has been plagued by injuries. Since the 2018-19 season, he has struggled to stay on the court, never playing more than 42 games in a single regular season. In his last stint with Miami during the 2022-23 season, Oladipo appeared in 42 games, averaging 26.3 minutes, 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, mostly in a bench role.
Given the uncertainty surrounding his health and the Heat’s financial constraints, it appears unlikely that Oladipo will make his comeback in Miami. However, fans and analysts alike hope that the former No. 2 overall pick will find a way to complete his return to the game in the near future.
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