Central Notes: Oladipo, Pacers, Bulls, Pistons

Pacers guard Victor Oladipo is a candidate to be traded this offseason, but ESPN’s Tim Bontemps is somewhat skeptical that a deal will get done before the 2020/21 season begins. Appearing on Brian Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast on Monday, Bontemps suggested that Oladipo’s lengthy recovery from a leg injury and his up-and-down play upon returning may reduce his value on the trade market.

“From talking to people around the league, I don’t think his value is nearly as high as his name brand would suggest at the moment,” Bontemps said (hat tip to RealGM). “And I think it’s more likely that the Pacers go into the season and either hope he plays really well and they do great and he decides to stay, or that he plays better and then they maybe trade him later, when his value goes up some.”

If the Pacers do seriously consider moving Oladipo, they’ll be looking to extract a significant return for a player who has made two All-Star teams since arriving in Indiana. But if Bontemps is right and Oladipo’s health, diminished 2019/20 production, and contract situation (he’ll be a free agent in 2021) result in underwhelming offers, the team will likely be reluctant to pull the trigger.

Here’s more from around the Central:

• K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago identifies six players he believes would make good mid-level exception targets for the Bulls this fall. Johnson’s list is fairly heavy on wings, including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Derrick Jones, and Jae Crowder.
• In a pair of articles for Pistons.com, Keith Langlois profiles Florida State forward Patrick Williams as a potential lottery target for the Pistons and examines the decisions Detroit will have to make on its own players before pursuing outside free agents.
• In case you missed it, we relayed a series of Central notes on Monday night and then published a poll this morning on the future of Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.