1 Player at each position the Thunder gave up on too soon
By Tyler Watts
SG: Victor Oladipo
It is easy to forget how good Oladipo was before the injuries piled up. The 6’3 guard was the second overall pick in 2013 and showcased plenty of potential in Orlando. He spent three seasons with the Magic before being traded to Oklahoma City with Domantas Sabonis and Ersan Ilyasova for Serge Ibaka.
Oladipo averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 33.2 minutes per game in his lone season with the Thunder. Kevin Durant left for Golden State, but Oladipo helped Russell Westbrook pilot the OKC to the playoffs. Vic was their second-leading scorer, but the Thunder traded him and Sabonis to get Paul George.
The 6’3 guard broke out in Indiana. In his first season with the Pacers, Oladipo won Most Improved Player, led the league in steals, was an All-Star, made third-team All-NBA, and was first-team All-Defense at just 25 years old. Oladipo looked destined for superstardom, but things quickly went south.
He was an All-Star in 2019, but has not played more than 42 games in a season since. There was just no avoiding the injury bug. Oladipo is only 32 years old, but just cannot seem to stay healthy.
Things may have been different if he stayed in Oklahoma City, and the Thunder certainly missed out on his best season.