Twelve years after first drafting Anthony Bennett, the Cleveland Cavaliers lastly received the chance to redeem themselves with an missed free agent signature.
The 2013 NBA Draft was one of many worst draft courses ever. Solely Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert and Victor Oladipo appeared within the All-Stars, with the primary decide Anthony Bennett being thought of the most important bust in NBA historical past.
Bennett performed solely 52 video games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 4.2 factors and three rebounds. There was no high decide for consensus, however Cavs initially wished to decide on Oladipo, however they could have the chance so as to add him to the roster in the long run.
Oladipo hasn’t performed since 2023, however he was solely 33 years previous and one among Prime’s greatest two-way safety guards. Groups just like the Cavs try to strengthen their depth, however they could be all for signing him.
Within the Las Vegas Summer time League, Oladipo held public coaching with a number of NBA groups concerned.
“Entrance Workplace members have been attending Victor Oladipo’s current Vegas-based coaching,” reported Cavaliers insider Chris Fedor. “Oladipo, 33, is attempting to revive his NBA profession and has confirmed to NBA resolution makers that he’s wholesome and nonetheless efficient.”
This summer season, Cavs added Lonzo Ball and boasted stable backcourt spins of Ball, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. Nonetheless, there are nonetheless 4 open rosters, and Oladipo will likely be a low-risk addition.
After LeBron James made his resolution and signed with the Miami Warmth in 2011, the Cavaliers started trying to find a brand new franchise participant. In 2011 they landed their first general decide. Kyrie Irving rapidly emerged as the middle of the backcourt.
Cavs continued to select Bennett and Andrew Wiggins within the general first selection in future drafts, however Wiggins was later traded for Kevin Love.
After James returned to 2015, the Cavs continued their 4 finals, beating the Golden State Warriors solely as soon as.
If they’d Oladipo within the backcourt subsequent to Irving, they could have had the reply about Stephen Curry’s protection. Between 2015 and 2018, he stole a median of 1.7 metal and spaced the flooring fairly properly, which may have been lacking the hyperlinks wanted to make Cleveland come out continuously.
The Cavs have been costly at Oladipo in 2013, however as a substitute made the last-minute resolution to draft Bennett, however the resolution that bothered the franchise.
“Cavs’ Chairman Dan Gilbert was as soon as a large Oladipo fan and was eager to select a resilient Indiana star on the primary decide within the 2013 NBA Draft,” continued Fedor. “David Griffin, then assistant normal supervisor, campaigned for Anthony Bennett at UNLV.”
The Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns are additionally linked to Oladipo, however Cleveland can provide the very best likelihood of postseason success.
