May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) reacts to ally in the first half against the Boston Celtics during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
The two-time NBA All-Star has been absent from the league since the 2023-24 season, but Victor Oladipo insists he is now fully recovered and eager to resume his career.
In an open letter published in The Players’ Tribune on Tuesday, the 34-year-old guard directly addressed NBA general managers, requesting a chance to showcase his abilities.
Selected second overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, Oladipo suffered a ruptured quadriceps tendon in his right knee in January 2019 and a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in April 2023. He hasn’t surpassed 42 games played in a single season since the 2017-18 campaign.
“I believe my body is finally right,” Oladipo penned. “I believe I still possess GREAT (and more importantly WINNING) basketball within me. I believe I can be a valuable addition to an NBA locker room. And what I am requesting right now is an opportunity to prove it.”
During the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas this July, Oladipo conducted a private workout for front office executives. He also spent part of the previous season with the G League’s Wisconsin Herd.
“I don’t know how my journey here is going to end,” he wrote. “Perhaps a team will offer me a chance. Perhaps no team will. That is entirely up to you all. However, if you are in an NBA front office and took the time to read this: thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can promise you one thing regarding my basketball story—always, from the very first page to the last.”
“It’s a love story.”
An All-Star with the Indiana Pacers in both 2017-18 and 2018-19, Oladipo averaged 16.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.6 steals across 504 career games (397 starts) while playing for the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Pacers, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat.