Fansided

10 eventual free agents who could change the shape of the NBA

By Bryan Toporek

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 05: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 05, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 05: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 05, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

10. Victor Oladipo (2021)

Victor Oladipo might fly under the radar compared to superstars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, but he nevertheless has the potential to reshape the league when he becomes a free agent in 2021.

Oladipo suffered a torn quadriceps tendon in January 2019, which caused him to miss the rest of the 2018-19 season and the first 47 games of this past season. Although he made his debut in late January and played 13 games before the league went on hiatus, he recently told The Athletic’s Michael Lee: “I’d be lying if I said I was even 80 percent out there.”

Prior to his injury, though, Oladipo was playing at an All-Star level.

He broke out in his first season with the Indiana Pacers in 2017-18, averaging 23.1 points on 47.7 percent shooting, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a league-high 2.4 steals per game. His scoring dropped off a bit in 2018-19 — he averaged 18.8 points on 42.3 percent shooting — but that didn’t stop him from earning his second straight All-Star nod.

Oladipo isn’t an elite long-range shooter by any means, but he’s an otherwise well-rounded threat on both ends of the floor. He likely can’t be the No. 1 option on a championship contender, but he could help round out a Big Three alongside established stars.

Oladipo will have the entire 2020-21 season to prove that he’s over his injury and back to his All-Star form. If he does, he should be one of the most hotly pursued free agents in 2021.

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