Orlando Magic’s Victor Oladipo Ready To Lead

Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo is ready to become a leader for his young squad

More from NBA

• NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
• NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
• NBA insider explains real reason the Grizzlies were done with Dillon Brooks
• Knicks projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
• Rockets projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season

In the offseason, the Orlando Magic dealt their best player, guard Arron Afflalo, to the Denver Nuggets for guard Evan Fournier and a second-round pick (Roy Devyn Marble) and waived their captain and leader, point guard Jameer Nelson, allowing him to sign with the Dallas Mavericks.

Although they added veterans like big man Channing Frye and guards Ben Gordon, Luke Ridnour and Willie Green, it will be on their core group of young players to lead the team. The most likely player to fill that role is guard Victor Oladipo. He was the No.2 overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft and will be entering his second season.

According to Mary Stevens of Basketball Insiders, Victor Oladipo is ready to lead the Magic.

"Victor Oladipo is ready to lead the team and can make the biggest impact on the team this season. Despite the team’s struggles last season, he made the most of it and was the runner up for Rookie of the Year. He is eager to start this season and embed the new players on the roster. During Summer League, he would sit and help coach the rookies on the days he wasn’t playing. The rookies have told me Victor is ready to lead the team and they are ready to follow. Oladipo is currently dealing with a sprained MCL but should be back before the season starts."

Victor Oladipo already leads by example with his hard work on and off of the court and now it will be on him to challenge his teammates, especially rookies Aaron Gordon and Elfird Payton, to do the same.

In his rookie season, Victor Oladipo averaged 13.8 points, 4.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 41.9% from the field, 32.7% from beyond the arc and 78.0% from the charity stripe last season.

More from FanSided

• MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
• Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
• NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
• Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return
• LA Galaxy vs. Club Leon Leagues Cup match rescheduled for July 26