Two-time All-Star guard Victor Oladipo has rejected a contract offer from the Houston Rockets. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets offered Oladipo a two-year, $45.2 million max extension some time over the past few days.
Oladipo reportedly passed on the offer since he wants to land a long-term deal in free agency. As Wojnarowski points out, this doesn’t mean that the 28-year-old star wants out of Houston, since the two sides still have plenty of options to stay together.
If the Rockets don’t want to take a risk with Oladipo and see him walk away for nothing, the team can trade him. There are still four weeks left before the end of the trade deadline, and a player of Oladipo’s caliber could net them a handsome package despite his looming free agency.
In case Houston stays put, the franchise will have an opportunity to discuss a new deal with Oladipo when the 2020-21 NBA season wraps up. At that point, there will be several different options available to them, ranging from a four-year, $113 million contract to a five-year, $195 million extension.
Another likely scenario is that the Houston Rockets and Victor Oladipo work out a sign-and-trade deal. The Rockets would still get something in return, while Oladipo can go to his preferred destination even if the team he likes doesn’t have cap space to sign him in free agency.
Oladipo joined the Rockets in January as part of a four-team trade that sent superstar James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. He played 13 games for the Rockets since then, averaging 18.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
