Victor Oladipo is still trying to force his way back into an NBA rotation, but the Houston Rockets may not be the team to give him that shot.
The 34-year-old guard remains one of the more interesting names available on the free agent market. Last season, he averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game with the Milwaukee Bucks’ G-League affiliate, though he has not been on an NBA roster since 2024.
Oladipo also used a recent feature in The Player’s Tribune to make his case directly to league decision-makers.
“To say to any GM who’s willing to listen: I believe my body is finally right. I believe I still have GREAT (and more importantly, WINNING) basketball in front of me.
I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I’m asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it.”
There’s a Houston connection here, too. Oladipo was once part of the Rockets and averaged 21.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists across 20 games with the team.
He also has a unique connection to Hakeem Olajuwon. The bigger question now is whether Houston should circle back and give the two-time All-Star another crack at the league.
His resume still carries weight. Oladipo made All-NBA in 2018, and his career was later derailed by injuries. Most recently, he suffered a left knee injury in a 2023 playoff series against the Miami Heat.
Even so, there’s still a basketball case for him. He’s no longer at his athletic peak, but his feel for the game and defensive commitment can still matter in the right setting. If he’s willing to take a veteran minimum contract, there are teams that could use a guard with his blend of experience and versatility.
Houston, though, looks crowded already. Fred VanVleet is the veteran presence, Amen Thompson is rising fast, Marcus Smart brings defense, Reed Sheppard is in the mix as a Sixth Man of the Year contender, and rookie Bruce Thornton is also entering the picture. Ime Udoka will have plenty of lineup combinations to sort through, and one of the bigger questions is where Sheppard fits in next season’s rotation.
The Rockets do have one open standard roster spot, but they’re also hovering near the luxury tax line. With that in mind, and unless injuries change the equation, there simply may not be enough minutes available for a player trying to rebuild his value.
For now, Oladipo’s latest G-League stop at least shows the comeback idea isn’t dead. But based on Houston’s depth and cap situation, he appears better suited to land somewhere else.
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Oladipo said his mother had dreamed about that meeting years before his draft arrived, and the coincidence gave the moment an almost mythical feel. The signed basketball became more than just a keepsake, a reminder of how deeply Olajuwons legacy still resonates with players who came after him. Even now, with Oladipo having played for multiple NBA teams and most recently in the G-League while remaining a free agent, the story lands as a small but vivid link between one Rockets legend and a guard whose career has already taken plenty of turns. [Read more 🡒]