Victor Oladipo is trying to write an NBA comeback story, but the Philadelphia 76ers may have already moved on.
The veteran guard has made his case publicly, and he’s doing it with the kind of resume that still commands attention: two-time All-Star, All-NBA, NBA All-Defensive, and Most Improved Player of the Year. Philadelphia has been willing to give players another shot before, including Guerschon Yabusele, whom the Sixers brought over from Spain a couple of years ago to help him make another run at the league. Oladipo is a much different name and a much different player, but the basic idea is the same - a team with win-now ambitions taking a look at an experienced piece who might still have something left.
The problem is that his appeal may have landed a year too late.
In a candid Player’s Tribune letter, Oladipo made his pitch directly to NBA decision-makers: “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."
That message is straightforward enough. The issue is Philadelphia’s current situation.
Last season, the Sixers were the kind of team that could have used another guard in the rotation, especially with the depth taking a hit. Oladipo hasn’t appeared in an NBA game since his 42-game stint with the Miami Heat in 2022-2023, when he averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.
The Sixers’ guard picture has changed since then. They traded away Jared McCain and the aging Eric Gordon, then cycled through Tyrese Martin, Hunter Sallis, and Dalen Terry behind VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes. Kyle Lowry also occupied a roster spot, but he only gave Philadelphia 14 games and 8.4 minutes per game over the course of the year.
Oladipo has been making noise for a return for a while. The league knew he wanted back in as early as last summer, and he’s taken the usual routes to make it happen, including an open letter and private workouts in Las Vegas. But this offseason, the path is tougher.
Philadelphia has different priorities now. Edgecombe is set to remain in the starting lineup, and Anfernee Simons is the fresh addition in the backcourt.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was also brought in shortly after the acquisition of LeBron James. The Sixers learned last season how quickly offseason depth can disappear once the games begin, but Oladipo’s spot on the floor doesn’t make the fit any easier to sell.
If Philadelphia does eventually go looking for another guard, the more likely target would be someone behind Tyrese Maxey. Maxey played a league-high 38.0 minutes per game last season, and the Sixers won’t want to pile on more wear and tear.
If rookie Labaron Philon Jr. isn’t ready, a backup ball-handler could become important by December. At that point, though, Oladipo may already be elsewhere - or no longer the answer they need.
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