Though the surgeon who operated on impending unrestricted free agent guard Victor Oladipo’s quadriceps tendon told ESPN that he could be ready for basketball activity in November, we’re told the Heat does not believe he will be ready for NBA games by then. The Oladipo camp is hopeful he could play in a game anywhere between mid-December and early February, but that will remain speculative until he gets on the court. And the Heat isn’t assuming anything. If the Heat brings him back, it would likely be on a low-money deal, and only if Miami operates as an over-the-cap team instead of using cap space. It is very much in question if the Heat will pursue him vigorously; Riley was noncommittal in his postseason news conference. A player on the Heat said it was clear from the outset that Oladipo wasn’t fully healthy and was “limping” even before the injury. That player wondered whether dealing Kelly Olynyk and Avery Bradley was worth the risk. There is one scenario in which Oladipo would be healthy enough to play next season but might not: If he and his representative don’t like the financial offers. If Oladipo is offered no more than, say, $5 million to play half a season, he might sit out the season, get healthy and seek a deal closer to his market value in July 2022. https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article252111543.html
I'm going to start calling Rafael "Neo" for all of the bullet dodging he's done over the past year 1. Doc not coming here to be the head coach 2. Not trading for Simmons and his brokeass offensive game 3. Oladipo declining that player extension Stone offered 4. Keeping this year's draft pick and not having to surrender it to OKC
its also his favorite prototype of player, an athletic ballhoging guard, a natural (innefficeint) scorer, that cant shoot and pass with no feel for the game and no positive bb trait except the athleticism which he doesnt even know how to use to benefit his play...
The Rox wanted to keep him he was the one who turned it down. Regardless given his myriad of issues the Rox still dodged a bullet.
Heat played Magic, and Heat lost. Sure Spo rested his starters. It feels a bit strange when a guy is highlighted even though his team lost. (#1 team in the East lost to the worst team in the East). We load managed him best we could. He was starter and was allowed plenty of shots. But dude didn't want to be here, he rather be a bench guy, so be it. Turned down Rockets extension. Likely not getting nearly the same amount money from Heat. He never bad mouthed the Rockets when traded here, so no hard feelings. My read with Heat fans is that they thought he'd be more ahead of schedule, but looks like he might be finally there (for depth).
