The NBA offseason never has a dull moment, and even in what was expected to be a sleepy Summer, the OKC Thunder have been active. It started at the NBA Draft, where the Oklahoma City Thunder traded for the 10th overall pick and Davis Bertan’s massive contract in exchange for the 12th overall pick. This move let OKC get their guy, Cason Wallace, for the low cost of the money they had to spend anyways.
Keeping in that same philosophy, the Oklahoma City Thunder did not make a signing on day one of free agency, but they did swing a trade. The Miami Heat are sending Victor Oladipo back to Bricktown along with draft compensation.
The OKC Thunder are bringing Victor Oladipo back, for now, in a trade with the Miami Heat.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have cap space to spend, and with the new CBA, they had to reach the salary floor prior to opening night. So, Sam Presti takes on two salary dumps to gain assets. Bringing in Davis Bertans netted them Cason Wallace, and taking on Victor Oladipo’s 9.4 million dollar expiring contract gains OKC two future second-round picks.
The Heat are sending two second-round draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder to facilitate the offloading of Victor Oladipo's contract.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) July 1, 2023
The protections on the Heat’s 2025 first-round pick owed to Oklahoma City have not been changed as a result of this deal.
Victor Oladipo suffered another injury this April. He is rehabbing from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. This makes the timetable for his return next year unclear, but especially unlikely for the start of the season. Oladipo and Sam Presti have an excellent working relationship, which could lead to a buyout between the two sides.
Oladipo played 67 games for the Thunder in his lone season, to the tune of 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal per game. In Oklahoma City, the former top-five pick posted 44 percent from the floor, 36 percent from beyond the arc, and 75 percent from the line.
We will see what the next steps are for Oladipo and the franchise.