Victor Oladipo isn’t done yet. And after a standout performance in Las Vegas, the two-time All-Star may be closer than ever to returning to the NBA hardwood.
On Monday morning, Oladipo participated in a private workout attended by a large contingent of NBA and European team representatives. The 33-year-old guard played full-court five-on-five alongside international pros, and according to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, multiple team sources came away impressed. Oladipo was described as being in excellent shape, with one scout noting,
“He looked good and explosive. I could see him helping a team”.
The workout was strategically timed to coincide with NBA Summer League, when executives, scouts, and agents are already gathered in Las Vegas. For Oladipo, it was the perfect stage to showcase his progress after years of battling injuries that derailed a once-promising career.
Oladipo last played in the NBA during the 2022–23 season with the Miami Heat, averaging 10.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals across 42 games. His playoff run ended abruptly with a torn left patellar tendon, adding to a long list of setbacks that included multiple surgeries on both quadriceps tendons.
But this time, Oladipo says he’s not just physically ready, he’s mentally and spiritually locked in. In a recent post on X, he wrote:
“I feel so great right now!! Better than I felt in the last 7 years mind, body and soul. I know I am a fighter! I know I am a warrior! … My injuries are behind me and it will never happen again! I am at peace with that and my past. I’m ready to build a present now and future of a lifetime”.
At his peak, Oladipo was one of the league’s premier two-way guards. In 2017–18, he earned All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive First Team honors while leading the league in steals and winning the Most Improved Player award. His blend of athleticism, defensive tenacity, and scoring punch made him a franchise cornerstone in Indiana.
Now, he’s aiming to contribute in any role, whether as a veteran mentor, defensive specialist, or spark off the bench. With career averages of 16.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, Oladipo still brings value to teams looking for depth and leadership.
As training camps approach, several franchises are reportedly considering Oladipo for a roster spot. If his Vegas performance is any indication, the comeback trail may soon lead back to the NBA.
