From an Oladipo fan: The Pacers made a great trade
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — As soon as Victor Oladipo stepped foot on the Indiana University campus, I became a fan. When he was traded to the Indiana Pacers, it went to a whole new level. And when Oladipo saved the franchise from the Paul George drama, it looked like he had a chance to be one of the most beloved Pacers of all time.
Things unfortunately changed after Oladipo’s devastating injury. I didn’t want to believe it, because I felt like Oladipo’s track record was too trustworthy to discredit. I repeatedly defended Victor to all the critics, and I was still holding out hope that he would be a Pacer long-term.
To his credit, Oladipo returned this season with a renewed focus, and a team-first mentality, despite being in a contract year. There appeared to be no drama in the Pacers locker room, and things looked a little more promising. And then, after just 11 games, Oladipo was traded. Make no mistake about it: Pacers President Kevin Pritchard wouldn’t have traded Oladipo if he truly believed things were going to work out after this year. Not long ago, Pritchard said: “At some point, we’ll sit down and talk about it. We have a great relationship. It will be up to him. If we show him we can win, we’ll have a chance to keep him.” Evidently, they had this talk, and Pritchard wasn’t convinced. Or, Oladipo may have indicated he’d only stay for the absolute top-dollar- something Pritchard wasn’t willing to do.
So, yes, I am a huge fan of Victor Oladipo. It is sad to see him go, and I’ll always wonder why things changed. But despite all of that- The Pacers just made a heck of a trade.
LeVert’s game reminds me of Victor Oladipo. He hasn’t had the kind of season Oladipo had in 2017-2018, but since that year, Oladipo hasn’t either. LeVert’s floor is similar to Vic’s, and his ceiling might even be higher.
In 31 starts last season, LeVert averaged 22.1 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.9 rebounds. In 4 starts this season, LeVert has averaged 28.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. Pacers fans still talk about T.J. Warren dropping 50 in the Bubble… Caris LeVert dropped 51 last March against Boston. Also, check out the “Per 36 minutes” numbers so far this season:
And probably the most important thing about the trade: Caris LeVert is locked up for 3 seasons. Even if Oladipo was a little better, Oladipo either walks after this year, or costs 30+ million per season to keep around. LeVert is younger, taller, much cheaper, and may explode even more with a roster like this around him. What’s not to like?
An anonymous Pacers player told “Hoops Hype” that team chemistry was back to being good this year for the Pacers, which is once again a credit to Victor Oladipo. However, knowing that LeVert will be here beyond this season can only help that locker room dynamic. The entire core of this team is now locked up for the next several seasons, and there shouldn’t be any distractions.
Caris LeVert has also played well in nine career playoff games- averaging 20.7 points, 5.9 assists, 5.3 rebounds, while shooting 41% from 3 in those games.
But does he have any clutch moments like Oladipo? Yep- he’s got that covered too:
I’ll never forget what Victor Oladipo meant to this franchise. In my 7+ years covering the team, he’s been my favorite Pacer to cover to this point. And I hope he has a great future wherever he ends up.
But for the Indiana Pacers- They’re in great hands with this roster, coaching staff, and newly acquired Caris LeVert. Can’t wait to see the product together on the court.
