Victor Oladipo Trade Rumors: Heat Targeting 'Bigger Fish' Than Pacers Star

The Miami Heat will reportedly target "bigger fish" than Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo on the trade market this NBA offseason.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst discussed the situation on the latest edition of The Hoop Collective podcast Monday (via Clay Ferraro of WPLG):

Windhorst's ESPN colleague Tim Bontemps added to the discussion (via Real GM) by saying he doesn't think Oladipo could command the type of return his reputation would suggest, which may lead Indiana to keep him to see if he can rebuild some value before next season's trade deadline:

"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. 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 they maybe trade him later, when his value goes up soon."

Oladipo is set to enter the final season of his four-year, $85 million contract. He can become an unrestricted free agent during the 2021 offseason if an agreement on an extension isn't reached.

The 28-year-old Maryland native made just 19 appearances last season after a delayed start to the campaign while completing his recovery from a serious knee injury suffered in January 2019.

He averaged 14.5 points, his lowest total since his 2013-14 rookie season with the Orlando Magic, to go along with 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

Oladipo appeared on The Fat Joe Show (via Chris Sims of the Indianapolis Star) on Sept. 30 and discussed his desire to collect "hardware"—NBA championships—but downplayed questions about potentially leaving Indiana to make it happen.

"I knew that question was coming. I don't know what you're talking about, man. I'm a Pacer, man. I'm a Pacer, dog. I'm a Pacer," Oladipo said.

The Pacers front office is in a tricky position. Trading him now would likely lead to a severely diminished return, but there's also the risk of not moving him and then watching him leave in free agency next offseason without getting any return at all.

Oladipo can be one of the league's most dynamic playmakers when healthy. He showcased that while averaging 23.1 points per game and ranking ninth among all NBA players in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus during the 2017-18 campaign, his first year in Indiana.

That version of Oladipo could push the Heat, the reigning Eastern Conference champions, to the forefront of the title discussion. But with lingering questions about whether he can get back to that level, it appears Miami will look in a different direction this offseason.