Darron Cummings / Associated Press
Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo announced Friday that he will not play when the 2019-20 NBA season resumes later this month.
Oladipo explained his decision to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium:
“I really want to play, and as a competitor and teammate this is tearing me apart. I feel like I’m in a great place in my rehab and getting closer and closer to 100 percent. With all the variables, how to increase my load. working five-to-five, with the highest risk of soft tissue injury that could delay my rehabilitation, and the exact unknown setting of the bubble, I just can’t make my mind completely comfortable playing. I have to be smart and This decision has not been easy, but I really believe that continuing on the course I am on and being completely healthy for the 2020-21 season is the right decision for me. “
However, Charania reported that Oladipo plans to travel with the team to Orlando:
Shams Charania @ @ShamsCharania
Pacers star Victor Oladipo plans to travel with the team to Orlando despite the decision not to participate in the NBA restart, according to sources. He is joining the team in Orlando. https://t.co/5B0uVRPXt6
A broken quadruple tendon in his right knee cut Oladipo’s 2018-19 season, and he didn’t make his debut in the 2019-20 season until the end of January. Oladipo appeared in 13 games until the season was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In those 13 games, Oladipo made 10 starts and averaged 25.9 minutes. He also contributed 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per competition.
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Oladipo only appeared in 36 games last season, so his last full campaign was in 2017-18 when he enjoyed a professional year. The 28-year-old hit career highs across the board for a full season with 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game in the NBA.
The general selection n. # 2 in the 2013 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic she was named an All-Star for two consecutive seasons entering 2019-20, and by taking off the rest of this season, she aims to be as close as 100 percent at most healthy as possible in an effort to return to its peak next season
The next season is very important for Oladipo since it is the last year of his contract. If you can get back to your best and get big numbers, you have a chance to win a long-term extension with the Pacers or make a lot of money on the open market in free agency.
It’s hard to argue with Oladipo’s decision from a personal perspective, but his absence is undoubtedly a major blow to the Pacers’ chances this season.
Indiana is tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference at 39-26 and has already secured a place in the playoffs. Even if Oladipo only played a limited few minutes and got off the bench, it would have given them a spark at both ends of the floor.
Now, the Pacers must rely heavily on the inner duo of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, in addition to forward TJ Warren and guard Jeremy Lamb.
Malcolm Brogdon could also play an important role, but it was diagnosed with COVID-19 on June 23, so its status for reboot is not set in stone.
The 2019-20 season will resume on July 30 with each of the remaining 22 teams playing eight games. They will then compete in a normal playoff format with the top eight qualifying teams in each conference.
Some of Indiana’s possible first-round opponents include the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, and Philadelphia 76ers, and Indiana may be a loser against either of them with Oladipo off the scene.
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