4:33pm: Oladipo plans to accompany the Pacers to Orlando, a league source tells Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports (Twitter link).
Because Oladipo is traveling with the team, Indiana won’t be allowed to replace him and he won’t forfeit any salary, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks. In other words, Oladipo will essentially be treated as an injured player rather than one who is voluntarily opting out.
2:50pm: Pacers star Victor Oladipo has decided he won’t participate in the NBA’s restart in Orlando this summer, he tells Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“I really want to play, and as a competitor and teammate this is tearing me apart,” Oladipo told Charania. “I feel like I’m at a great place in my rehab and getting closer and closer to 100 percent. With all the variables, from how I have to build my 5-on-5 workload back up, to the increased risk of a soft tissue injury which could delay my rehab, and the unknown exact set up of the bubble I just can’t get my mind to being fully comfortable in playing.
“I have to be smart and this decision hasn’t been easy, but I truly believe continuing on the course I’m on and getting fully healthy for the 2020/21 season is the right decision for me.”
Oladipo, who suffered a torn quad tendon during the 2018/19 season, missed approximately a full calendar year, making his return for the Pacers on January 29. His play was somewhat inconsistent leading up to the suspension of the NBA season, and he missed five games during that stretch, but he had his best performance in Indiana’s final game before the hiatus, pouring in 27 points against Boston on March 10.
Oladipo’s trainer, Luke Miller, tells Charania that the two-time All-Star hasn’t had a setback and is “in the best shape he’s ever been in.” However, Oladipo and Miller were concerned about the possibility of the Pacers guard suffering an injury in Orlando, given the truncated ramp-up period to the eight seeding games and the playoffs.
“It’s not worrisome, the quad tendon itself — it’s the other soft tissues around it,” Miller told Charania. “Research shows that within about two years, coming back from a major injury and major surgery, these guys are more susceptible to an injury because of quad deficit. It’s a lot to ask Vic to come back in three weeks from five-on-five and play in playoff games.”
The Pacers – who are 39-26 and rank fifth in the Eastern Conference – are unlikely to make a deep playoff run this summer without Oladipo active. The team is also missing Jeremy Lamb (torn ACL), and Malcolm Brogdon recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Still, Indiana has the 28-year-old under contract for at least one more year, and there have been some indications that the two sides have interest in a longer-term deal. He’ll be eligible for a contract extension this fall, or could get a longer, more lucrative contract as a free agent in 2021.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Man i love watching a healthy Oladipo play. This is very disappointing news
It’s an unfortunate situation for Indy who will be without 2 key players now. They’re not as destitute as the Nets, but their chances are slim to none.
Not an easy decision but I respect it
Le t me translate – – “I’m too scared to play. But I still want the money! Cause I’m really only concerned about myself.” He better really light it up next year if he wants that big contract.
@nsideindy
I totally agree with you! & he will have his work cut out, as he was real bad this year, even last year before the injury he was having a very bad season… He better does something good next year if he wants a big contract. Although I think he will struggle, Indy ain’t his team anymore, rightfully Sabonis & Brogdon are ahead of him, so he will be the 3rd guy in this team when he is in top shape next year.
I totally disagree with both of you. Why spend a couple of weeks to try to ramp up (after you were never fully ramped up to begin with) then get thrown into 5 on 5 competitive games? Makes no sense. Indy isn’t going to win it anyway, so the Pacers should just leave him on the bench so he can support his teammates and getting paid doesn’t hurt either. As a professional athlete you need to maximize your window and that’s what he’s doing. Also, he’s one of the best guys as a person in the league.
The Pacers were 2 games out of 2nd in the East when play stopped. You would think adding Oladipo would have only made them better. It also totally contradicts what he has been saying (as recently as Wednesday) and what he says he’s about. You ask why he should ramp up. The answer is to help the team and earn his money.
Not that it matters what either of us think, but what makes you think he is one of the best guys as a person? I don’t know either…but I did see how he (mis)treated a waitress at a local restaurant.
They were actually two games out of 4th in the east, not 2nd. Indy is pretty much locked in the #5 spot, unless the Sixers manage to pass them which is unlikely. Oladipo’s absence obviously hurts, but it’s not like the Pacers were going to beat any of the top 4 teams to reach the second round anyway.
Good catch on the 2nd vs. 4th. But let me correct you as well – – you don’t think the Pacers would make it to the 2nd round, but you don’t really know. I think they would have had a great chance against the Heat in round 1 (and still might). They had the best record in the East from February 10 until it was shutdown.
Well I personally know him, so I know what he’s about. Thanks for trying, though.
Also – were you there when he allegedly mistreated a waitress? I didn’t think so. Don’t comment on someone when you know nothing about them.
Hahaha…you are funny! Is this Oladipo posting under another name? I was at Top Golf where he took teammates when he mistreated the waitress. Maybe he was just having a bad day. But just because you got his autograph once doesn’t mean you know him.
@nsideindy I don’t say I know someone when I don’t. The guy is a friend of mine. You don’t know him, haven’t had a conversation with him, and probably never will, so worry about yourself. Have you ever had a bad day? I’m sure you have. Does that make you a bad person? I’m sure you’re not, but don’t comment about people that you don’t know and haven’t had the chance to know.
As mentioned earlier, it doesn’t matter what you or I think of him. I just wanted to know why you thought he was a good guy and related my experience with him. Also, as mentioned earlier…maybe he was having a bad day. I never said he was a bad guy…just wanted to know why you thought he was such a good guy (as if it matters). I still think he’s taking the cowardly way out by not playing (especially with his comments as recently as Wednesday) and that he’s selfish and should try to earn his money. Happy Independence Day!
You don’t know any of these players as a person, so how can you make that judgment. You only know what he and his publicist decide becomes public knowledge. The only real info that becomes public knowledge without his say so is legal, so basically all you can say is that he isn’t a criminal. Which is nice, but isn’t really a high bar to clear.
I actually know Vic and am friends with him, so I can make a judgement. I went to IU with him and see him a handful of times a year when we celebrate New Years, go on a trip, or he plays in my city I reside. Nice try, though.
So your opinion don’t matter as you are a biased friend, right?
@El Don that’s a very good point, but I don’t think we can make a judgement on someone personally because they choose to not play. Talk about his game, not what you think about him as an individual.
I already said he is IMO a one season wonder, he had one pretty good season, but last year before the injury he was very poor & this year he has been even worse, although I do understand he needs to get back into game shape which will take him probably close to a whole season, hence why is so important that he plays to speed the process, he ain’t getting any younger & already even fully fit he won’t be anymore the man in IND. That’s what I had said before about him, if he is a nice guy or a monster, personally I couldn’t care less, only that he has all to prove yet!
Apologies, the talk about his game and not what you think as an individual was a general comment, not directed at you.
No worries, cool man!!!
Oladipo was hurt. Makes no sense playing now. Not 100% and they are not in gm shape. He’s better off getting ready for next yr. Coming back to play competitive playoff gms. You better be in playing shape. Players coming off injuries, not a good idea imo.
Why do people think next year is going to magically be back to normal? The Spanish flu epidemic lasted 3 years. Next season is likely going to be just the same as this one.
I wonder if the Pacers are circling the wagons so to speak. I think he is getting advice to no-show. The feeling among medicos that certain injuries require a two-year layoff is mostly unproven, and may ignore that one key injury can kill a career regardless.
I guess it’s worth trying the two-year option but December is probably also out in that case for Dipo, and the team should move on if possible. Of course getting Brogdon helps there but he is often out himself.
If he doesn’t want to play then punish him. Trade him to the Knicks