Celtics could look to trade for Rockets’ Victor Oladipo

The Houston Rockets made a big-time move to trade James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets and in the process ended up getting Victor Oladipo from the Indiana Pacers. It was a move that surprised many, but a move that Oladipo doesn’t seem very happy about. Now, it appears that the Rockets could flip Oladipo again and the Boston Celtics might be a team to keep a close eye on.

NBC Sports Boston’s Brian Scalabrine thinks the Celtics could look to make a trade with the Rockets for Oladipo. Boston has a sizable trade exception that could help facilitate a trade.

Here is some of the brief explanation from Scalabrine about the Celtics trading for Oladipo.

“I think if they could make something happen with this trade exception, we could be going into a series with the Nets saying, ‘I like us on paper better than them.’ Right now as constructed, no. But it depends on what they do with this trade exception. I can see how the Celtics could be in a position where we like our chances.”

Oladipo certainly looked better this season with the Pacers. After coming back slowly last season from a gruesome ruptured quad injury, Oladipo struggled to get things going. This year, however, he looks much healthier and more explosive.

On the season with the Pacers in nine games, Oladipo averaged 20 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He shot 42.1 percent from the floor and 36.2 percent from the three-point line. There is still a chance the Rockets could keep him, but that doesn’t seem terribly likely.

Should the Celtics have interest in acquiring Oladipo, it wouldn’t take a ton. They could absorb his $20 million contract in with the trade exception they have. An asset or two may have to head back to Houston, but that won’t be a big issue.

Reports have circulated that Victor Oladipo would still like to figure out his way to the Miami Heat. However, joining a contender like the Celtics would have to be of interest to him, at least to finish out the 2020-21 season before hitting free agency in the offseason.

Only time will tell what the future holds for Oladipo. Moving on from the Pacers is an emotional situation, as he was the face of their franchise and was beloved by the fans. Ending up with the Celtics would be a very good situation and much better than playing for the Rockets at this point in time.

Expect to hear more rumors surrounding Victor Oladipo as the trade deadline draws near. He could very well be on the move again.

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