National Basketball Association

Are We Sold on Victor Oladipo?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The verdict is still out. Is Victor Oladipo a max-contract player or just a really solid role player? We’ll find out soon enough.

Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

So far this preseason we have seen glimpses of the pros and cons of the post-Durant Thunder. Sam Presti, as always, drafted well with Alex Abrines, who can eventually play quality minutes off the bench, and Domantas Sabonis, who should probably end up starting at some point.

Russell Westbrook has shown more of a pass first focus this year and looks poised to average a triple-double or at least close to it.

Also, the frontcourt of Steven Adams and Enes Kanter should come together pretty nicely once Adams comes back from injury.

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The issue, however, is with Victor Oladipo. He’s a solid player. We all know he has talent. But, the expectation is for him to turn into a top-tier talent, similar to what Durant was. Over the summer, we heard rumbles that he expects or at least is hoping for a max-contract.

Up to this point in the preseason Oladipo has been good, not great. In their last game against the Memphis Grizzlies Oladipo had 5 pts and 2 ast in 17 minutes played and in the game before against Dallas he was only slightly better.

This team won’t resemble the one two punch that Durant and Westbrook had. Oladipo is just not at that level yet.

Also, Oladipo is playing from the shooting spot, which he is still unproven at.

We should make sure our exceptions don’t get too high because we might get disappointed.

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