The Indiana Pacers recently made headlines by reportedly conducting a private workout with a multi-time All-Star free agent, sparking discussions about the team’s potential strategic moves in a pivotal offseason.
The player in question is Victor Oladipo, a former Indiana University standout and two-time All-Star during his tenure with the Indiana Pacers. However, his potential return is met with considerable skepticism given his prolonged absence from the league, having sat out the past two seasons due to a series of debilitating injuries, making this an interesting piece of basketball news.
Oladipo’s physical condition raises significant concerns about his current NBA-caliber status. His body has been severely impacted by injuries, and even when he managed to play for the Miami Heat, his on-court impact was sporadic and lacked sustainability, making a potential NBA free agency signing a high-risk proposition with questionable upside.
While the Pacers explore various options through player workouts, the free-agent market still presents several more compelling alternatives. Numerous talented guards who actively participated in the previous NBA season remain unsigned, offering a more reliable and immediate contribution compared to Victor Oladipo.
Should the Indiana Pacers consider engaging in competitive bidding wars for promising restricted free agents, such as Josh Giddey from the Chicago Bulls, Quentin Grimes of the Philadelphia 76ers, or Cam Thomas from the Brooklyn Nets, significant sign-and-trade negotiations would likely be necessary to clear salary cap space and roster spots, adding to NBA rumors.
Even within the realm of more affordable veteran unrestricted free agents, the Indiana Pacers could identify more suitable candidates. Malcolm Brogdon, another ex-Pacers guard, is available, despite his own recent injury history, which is less severe than Oladipo’s. Additionally, Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II, known for his robust on-ball defense, represents a valuable unsigned asset in NBA free agency.
Brooklyn Nets guard De’Anthony Melton, though linked to the Warriors, also presents an intriguing option for the Indiana Pacers. Other potential targets include wing Amir Coffey, center Chris Boucher, and big man Precious Achiuwa, all of whom warrant consideration for their potential to provide immediate value on cost-effective two-year deals as part of their player workouts.
Even if the Indiana Pacers are not heavily invested in immediate contention, particularly with two-time All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton recovering from an Achilles tear, the organization should strategically eye the 2026-27 season as its next realistic window for deep playoff aspirations. Acquiring any of these available free agents on favorable terms could strategically benefit the team’s long-term competitive trajectory.
It’s noteworthy that even former All-Stars like Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons, despite their own recent struggles, arguably possess more immediate on-court value than a potentially “washed-up” Victor Oladipo. However, neither of these players aligns with Indiana’s future competitive vision, especially when the team aims to genuinely contend again (presumably) in the 2026-27 NBA season.
