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3 reasons why Victor Oladipo makes sense for the Los Angeles Lakers

By Daniel Preciado

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 08: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 8, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 08: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 8, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kim Klement - Pool/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles /

1. The Pacers are likely to go into a full rebuild and are experiencing front office turmoil.

The Pacers always seem to be in the thick of the Eastern Conference when it comes down to it as they have made it to the NBA playoffs in nine of the last ten seasons. In the bubble, they got swept in the first round by the Los Angeles Lakers’ Finals opponent — the Miami Heat — with ease.

They are set to go downhill from here considering they lack the young pieces to supplement their current core of Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon going forward. While those two appear to be inked long-term in Indiana, Oladipo might not be. However, he played a different card in an interview with rapper Fat Joe:

"“I’m a Pacer, man. I’m a Pacer, dawg. I’m a Pacer. I can’t control the rumors, man. … All of the ones on the internet, I don’t even know where they come from. I’m just in the background, working out, working on my knee, trying to get right for next year.”"

This came in response to an article written by The Athletic’s Jared Weiss and Oladipo clearly stated that it was off-base. Still, the Pacers may not want him as much as he makes it seem like he wants to stay in Indiana.

The Pacers recently fired head coach Nate McMillan as they look to turn the organization upside-down. Oladipo is owed $21 million in the 2020-2021 season while their core of Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, and Myles Turner will be set to make a combined $56.7 million next season as a trio.

The Pacers simply cannot afford to keep Oladipo on their books after this upcoming season, so it makes sense for them to want to deal him to get some value back. You never want to see your stars leave for nothing as an organization.

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