Heat guard Victor Oladipo will undergo surgery on the same right quadriceps tendon that he ruptured in 2019, the team announced today (via Twitter). The procedure will end Oladipo’s season and there’s no timetable for his return, per the club.
It’s a disappointing turn of events for Oladipo and for the Heat, who acquired the two-time All-Star at the trade deadline in March. However, if there’s a belief that going under the knife again represents Oladipo’s best path back to full strength, it’s the right call.
According to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (Twitter link), Oladipo made the decision himself to undergo surgery, but the Heat were in agreement. A source tells Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (Twitter link) that the quad tendon isn’t ruptured this time around, so there’s hope that Oladipo’s recovery will be quicker than it was in 2019-20.
Oladipo, who returned from his previous quad tendon injury in January of 2020, never seemed to fully recapture his old All-Star form during the last year. In 33 games this season for the Pacers, Rockets, and Heat, the 29-year-old posted respectable marks of 19.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 4.6 APG, but his shooting averages (.408/.326/.754) were well below his career numbers and he didn’t look as explosive as he had during his first two years in Indiana.
With Oladipo unavailable going forward, the Heat will continue to rely on a backcourt rotation headed by Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, and Goran Dragic.
As for Oladipo, he’s on track to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and his stock will certainly be affected by this development. Teams interested in signing Oladipo will keep a close eye on his recovery process, and it seems possible he’ll end up on a short-term deal that would allow him to try to rebuild his value before he returns to the open market in a year or two.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Oladipo? More like Adios-adipo. Amirite
I think this will result in him returning to Miami on a one year “prove it” deal.
Wonder if there is any path to us resigning him AND bringing in Lowry this offseason…
Not sure, who is “us”? Are you Mark Cuban’s wife?”
Agreed. He seems to want to be in Miami and it’s hard to see many teams upping the bid on him this summer.
I’d be far more comfortable re-signing Olynyk instead of Oladipo.
” Hey, can I still get that 43M over 2 years? No? Okay.”
Miami still should of traded Herro or Robinson in a package for Harden. Maybe even both if you can get Harden.
Uh, no. Harden is too much of a risk for us and our playing style. We need to be sure about someone if we’re trading Herro in a deal.
He will get more then that on open market. So many dumb GMs. Hayward got 100+ mil and has has a way longer injury past.
He won’t.
what else is new…
Persistent muscle/tendon injuries is not good. I think Hayward just falls apart sometimes… doctors get in there with a hacksaw, use duct-tape & bailing-twine and after healing he’s ready to go. Heard it on the internet! Hornets can make buzzing sounds.
Boogie 2.0 I don’t think a GM gives him a legit deal. 2/20 ceiling.
If he didn’t cause waves in Indy he would have a bag of money.
Good point, he certainly could have taken a hefty extension with Indiana
This might go down with Isaiah “Brinks Truck!” Thomas in terms of a guy missing out on big cash.
VO will be 30 next year and has had quad issues for over two years now, hard to see him being an All Star again.
I think it’s smart by both. Oladipos contract value takes a hit but it means the heat can resign Robinson or spend a little more in FA. But I return Oladipo will return to Miami for sure and probably get a 1+1 type deal.
Works in favour for both parties and if it means next year they get a healthy Oladipo it’s a big win
Do you think the Heat still re-sign him this offseason? I feel like they should at least check out alternative options first.
Prob a one year deal but depending on what VO wants for that one year maybe not. I think they need to extend Butler this offseason too so idk how much they’ll have to offer
OOoppss …. he never showed me he was right. Always said he was timid and holding back at times. Even healthy not worth much. Cause you don’t know what you are getting. At most he gets a one yr or two yr with no guarantee second yr. A team can’t lock themselves in cap wise. To a plate who might play. Look at KP. What’s he done for his extension so far.
Dipo to Knicks…
I remember not too long ago Knicks fans talking about how they could get Oladipo.
I was one of few who thought rockets nail the deal…. olynyk and Bradley are strong rotation pieces. Oladipo damage goods
Bradley used to be a strong rotation piece, but he hasn’t been the same since sitting out last season when his (former) team won a championship.
He’s no longer worth the $5.9M team option he has for next season and the Rockets have far better (and younger) players coming back next season.
Olynyk has been fantastic in a Rockets uniform and should be fairly easy to re-sign this summer. Olynyk by himself was worth trading away Oladipo, and the Rockets also got a pick swap in the deal. They can trade either their own or (more likely) Brooklyn’s first round pick in 2022 for Miami’s.
Oladipo is washed like detergent. Heat should either sign Austin Rivers,TLC,or if they are lucky; Lonzo Ball.
Honestly Dinwiddie would give them more versatility if they are going to go $20mil + for a guard.