Victor Oladipo could make his season debut Monday night and Heat players are excited about what he can contribute, writes Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Oladipo hasn’t played since reinjuring the quadriceps tendon in his right knee shortly after being acquired in a trade last season. Coach Erik Spoelstra said he’ll have to get final approval from trainers before deciding whether to use Oladipo on Monday, but added that “he’s close.”
“He looks great,” Caleb Martin said of Oladipo, who has been practicing with the G League team and working out with reserves and assistant coaches. “He’s going to add a huge boost to us. Adding a player of his caliber to our team is always going to be a positive. He’s too good. He’s going to find his way. We’re all going to adjust to him and figure out how we look with him in it. He will find his way. We will adjust to him. He can’t do anything but make us a lot better. That’s the scary thing about it.”
Keeping Oladipo beyond this season could be difficult, Jackson notes. The Heat will own his Bird rights after giving him a one-year, minimum-salary contract this season, but they may not have much to offer if they’re focused on staying out of luxury tax territory. Jackson states that if they re-sign Martin to a deal in the $8MM range and keep the rest of the roster intact, that would only leave about $4-$5MM for Oladipo.
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Kristaps Porzingis could make his debut with the Wizards today, tweets Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. Porzingis, who has been sidelined with knee soreness, was a full participant in practice Saturday for the first time since last month’s trade and will be evaluated before the game to make sure he’s ready to play, Hughes adds.
- Executives and agents that Hughes has talked to believe Bradley Beal would definitely accept a maximum-salary offer from the Wizards this summer (video link). Hughes notes that Beal can make about $60MM more in a new five-year deal with Washington than he could by accepting a four-year contract with another team. Beal indicated this week that he’s leaning toward re-signing with the Wizards.
- Appearing on the QC Hornets’ Nest podcast, Montrezl Harrell said he understands that being traded is part of the business of the NBA. The Hornets center was acquired from the Wizards at the deadline, marking the third trade of his career and the second in six months.
Beal is overrated and he’s just not that #1 guy on the team…
It’s always weird how guys go from underrated then turn it up and get some recognition for the years of work then all of the sudden they’re overrated because they’re about to get paid.
He deserves recognition and get paid, but he’s not that #1 guy that will get you a title… more like #2, #3 guy.
Way to rank a guy on the bench not #1.
When was Beal “underated”?
I’m a a Beal fan. And I support players getting paid their market value. I won’t hate on players even being overpaid. So the fact is this is a business. And if you look at this situation right now, Wizards.
I ask myself. Where are they going with Beal in next 5 yrs. This team won’t be a contender during that contract IMO. Now I get you please the fan base by keeping a star. But I as a fan. Would much rather contend one day. And considering you have some young pieces. Best thing I see is to move Beal and load up. Wash could of tanked this yr. And gotten a top 3 pick. There is a future star there. Plus all they could get for Beal. I see them much better off. With a much better young team that is deep. That’s how you build a real contender. One that will contend for yrs. I doubt they ever make the East finals signing Beal. So why do it……
In the offseason, W’s offered Wiseman, Moody, Kuminga, and Wiggins for Beal.
Right now it is timely to have reservations about Beal. In half a year, when the contract is signed, no.
Besides, WAS ran out Dinwiddie and winning, whoever is responsible (IDK).
Beal will be Wall but Worse. His game was already slipping. Washington is a 6-8 seed.
Why would MIA wanna be under the lux tax? Really odd, right?