Victor Oladipo to Make Rockets Debut vs. Bulls; John Wall out with Injury
Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas told reporters Sunday that Victor Oladipo would make his debut with the team during Monday night's matchup with the Chicago Bulls.
Silas added that star point guard John Wall will miss the game, however, while Eric Gordon and DeMarcus Cousins are probable and Sterling Brown is questionable.
Oladipo, 28, was one of the key acquisitions for the Rockets in the enormous, four-team trade that sent the disgruntled James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. The trade was as follows:
- Rockets: Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, three unprotected picks from the Nets (2022, 2024, 2026), an unprotected 2022 pick from the Milwaukee Bucks via the Cleveland Cavaliers, four first-round pick swaps with the Nets (2021, 2023, 2025, 2027).
- Nets: Harden, 2024 second-round pick from the Cavs.
- Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince.
- Indiana Pacers: Caris LeVert, 2023 second-round pick from Houston.
Oladipo may not be in Houston for long. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2020-21 season, and if the fit in Houston doesn't end up being ideal, he could be shopped before this season's trade deadline as Houston continues its rebuild/retooling effort following Harden's departure.
If the fit does work out, however, a core of Wall, Oladipo, Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker, Ben McLemore, Danuel House Jr. and Cousins could make a run at one of the lower seeds in the Western Conference playoff picture.
"If it fits, things work out, if I'm happy," Oladipo told reporters Sunday regarding his potential future in Houston beyond this season. "Essentially, it's like a business plan. You've got to go through every aspect of the business plan before you kind of figure out if you want to invest in it."
The Rockets have struggled to start the season, going 4-7, but the Harden distraction and players ending up in the NBA's health and safety protocols haven't made life any easier for the team. With Harden now gone, the Rockets have a chance at a fresh start this season. With 61 games to go, there's plenty of time for this team to come together.
"My goal for this season is to win, and win, and win some more," Oladipo told reporters. "I want to somewhat exhaust my potential here."
