The Denver Nuggets were a serious contender in the Western Conference last season, making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals before being knocked off by the Los Angeles Lakers. This season so far, they are 21-15 and the No. 6 seed in the conference. Making a trade at the deadline could be a route the Nuggets look at and Victor Oladipo could be a name to watch.
Oladipo was acquired by the Houston Rockets earlier this season from the Indiana Pacers. Now, rumors have been swirling that he could be on the move for the second time this year.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report suggested that the Nuggets could get involved in the Oladipo trade talks. He would certainly make sense as a third star alongside Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.
Oladipo would add another shot-creator and beef up their point-of-attack defense. In turn, his percentages should rise by handling a lighter workload and having better spacing for his off-the-bounce attacks. Use him as a fourth option behind Nikola Jokic, Murray and Porter (or maybe a 3A/3B situation with Porter), and Oladipo could shine—on a big stage, right before he hits the open market.
As noted, the Nuggets would have to view this move as a half-year rental. Oladipo has been trying to steer his way to the Heat since being with the Pacers. However, it’s worth the risk due to the price tag likely not being too high.
Bringing in Oladipo, even for half of a season, could propel the Nuggets back to the top in the West. It could even get them over the hump and into the NBA Finals.
No, Victor Oladipo is not the same All-Star that shocked the league with his star talent immediately after joining the Pacers. The gruesome ruptured quad injury that he suffered has taken something away from him. But, he is getting his explosiveness back and is still a more than capable scorer and creator.
So far this season with the Rockets in 15 games, Oladipo has averaged 19.9 points per game to go along with 4.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals. He has shot 38.7 percent from the floor and has knocked down 31.3 percent of his three-point attempts.
Obviously, those shooting percentages are not where Oladipo wants them to be. He is capable of shooting much, much better. A trade to the Nuggets could be exactly what he needs to turn things around a bit.
Expect to hear a ton of trade rumors surrounding Oladipo ahead of the trade deadline. The Nuggets may not get involved, but he would certainly make sense for them.
