After reporting earlier this week that the Pacers aren’t considering the possibility of shopping Victor Oladipo and that the veteran guard isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star digs a little further into the subject.
A source tells The Star that Oladipo “loves” Indiana, and Michael notes that the two-time All-Star has a good, “open-door” relationship with Pacers executives Kevin Pritchard and Chad Buchanan.
According to Michael, the Pacers have made it clear they’re willing to give Oladipo a maximum-salary contract once his current deal ends in 2021, assuming that’s his market value. The 28-year-old hasn’t fully regained his All-Star form since returning from a serious leg injury, but is willing to roll the dice that he can get there.
Doing so would put him in line to earn a long-term max deal in ’21 rather than settling for an early extension that wouldn’t be as lucrative or as lengthy, due to CBA restrictions — Oladipo is seeking as much security as possible on his next contract, says Michael.
Here’s more from around the Central:
- Bulls director of player development Shawn Respert, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, won’t be retained beyond 2019/20, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Interestingly, Johnson says that decision was made by Jim Boylen, who remains the Bulls’ head coach for now as he continues to be evaluated by the team’s new basketball operations decision-makers.
- The Cavaliers are unlikely to have any cap room this offseason, but could still be a minor player in free agency, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, who speculates in his latest mailbag that Derrick Jones, Michael Carter-Williams, Josh Jackson, and Harry Giles could be among Cleveland’s targets.
- While February’s Andre Drummond trade will help ensure the Cavs don’t have cap room this offseason, moving Drummond’s contract should allow the Pistons to create upwards of $30-35MM in space, depending on where exactly the cap lands. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic explores which players Detroit could look at if the team decides to trade for unwanted contracts rather than using its room on free agents.
The Cavs in the draft should probably favor Advija with an opening at the 3 but a lot of things can happen instead of that.
For vet acquisition, with not much to spend, go for a PG that could defend at the 3, somewhat like Advija. But Dunn, Ball, Joseph, Murray, Wright & Smart would cost to much.
The Bulls have two more FAs with Shaq Harrison & Denzel Valentine, and they will want to move bodies. The Spurs have Derrick White at only 6-4,190 that they have to decide on, so maybe. The Cavs already have Donte Exum but he has yet to have a good year.
Counting Valentine is a bit of a cheat since he’s a 3 who can play point and that may be where more candidates are. Derick Jones maybe, along with MCW who one might want out front.
The last thing the Cavs need is another PG they have Sexton, Garland, Delly and Exum.
I think Cavs grab Anthony Edwards to play SG, he the best player in the draft.
Delly & Exum are not starters and/or always hurt. Sexton & Garland are shooters not floor leaders. A truer PG who can cover 3s is best. If they get the #1or#2, it could be Edwards or Ball.
I might be willing to trade Balls lol
A point guard than can guard SFs….
other than LeBron James name a PG that isnt in the all defensive team that can do that.
Cavs biggest needs are to get better defensively, and to find someone to run the floor. But I think in this weak draft they take the best player available that is a PG, I’m thinking they get number 2 pick and grab Anthony Edwards.
The previous list of mostly maybes and Alec Burk and other 3s that could play the point but I got tired of looking into. The best deal will be Harrison from the Bulls.
Not a promising sign that Boylen still has authority to make decisions like this…