Victor Oladipo reportedly has drawn the Warriors’ interest as they head out of the All-Star break.
Traded earlier this season from Indiana to Houston, Oladipo hasn’t helped pull the Rockets out of what’s now a 13-game losing streak.
The Warriors are interested in the eighth-year guard to help move the ball, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, citing league sources. O’Connor noted that Houston “can’t demand too much in a deal given Oladipo has underwhelmed and will become an unrestricted free agent.”
That’s good news for the Warriors. They don’t have many draft picks they can pair along with salary to trade for Oladipo’s contract, which pays him $21 million this season. They owe protected first-round picks in 2021 (to Oklahoma City) and 2024 (to Memphis). It’s unlikely Golden State would be willing to part with its prized protected 2021 first-rounder from Minnesota in exchange for a few months of Oladipo’s work.
The Warriors have lacked in ballhandling and secondary scoring behind Steph Curry. Oladipo could provide both, in addition to some defensive upside.
Oladipo, who turns 29 in May, was drafted second overall in 2013 by the Orlando Magic. After three seasons there, he was dealt to Oklahoma City for a year, then traded to the Pacers, where he became a two-time All-Star and led the league in steals (2018).
He is two years removed from knee surgery and, only two months ago, was traded to Houston as part of a four-team deal that sent James Harden to Brooklyn.
The Warriors (19-18) are ninth in the Western Conference and have lost their last three games. Their next game is Thursday night in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
