The Miami Heat acquired Houston Rockets star guard Victor Oladipo on Thursday, it was announced.
Although sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski earlier this week that there was widespread confidence that Houston would trade with Oladipo, the teams reached the 3 p.m. deadline before accepting the trade.
In return, the Rockets get guard Avery Bradley, forward Kelly Olynyk, and swap rights from the first round of 2022. These exchange rights include the selection of the Brooklyn Nets.
With Oladipo in Miami, the Heat are also expected to appear as a leader to sign LaMarcus Aldridge, sources told Wojnarowski. The veteran old man has completed a purchase with the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, it was announced. Sources told Wojnarowski the purchase was $ 5.8 million
Five years of unforgettable memories …. Thank you, Saint Anthony! pic.twitter.com/tRscfpnZax
– LaMarcus Aldridge (@ aldridge_12) March 25, 2021
According to Wojnarowski, Aldridge plans to talk to several teams before finalizing a decision.
Miami also landed Nemanja Bjelica of the Sacramento Kings for forwards Maurice Harkless and Chris Silva.
Oladipo, 28, is reaching the final season of a four-year, $ 85 million contract and could become a free agent this summer. He broke the quad in January 2019, but has shown flashes of his old self in performances with Indiana and Houston this season. Oladipo has averaged 21.2 points in 20 games with the Rockets, although his efficiency has been poor.
He arrived in Houston as part of a four-team trade that delivered All-NBA guard James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. The Rockets offered Oladipo a two-year, $ 45 million contract, the maximum offer they were available to make during the season under the collective bargaining agreement, but Oladipo turned it down, sources said. .
Oladipo has averaged 20.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists with the Rockets this season. During his nine-year career, including stops at the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, he has averaged 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
The all-star selection has also been one of the top defenders, having been named a member of the First Defensive Team in 2018, when he led the NBA in steals and was also named the league’s best player.
The Rockets, who lost to the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday after finishing a 20-game losing streak Monday night, are in a mode to rally young players and pick assets as they move toward rebuilding.
An eight-year veteran in an expiring deal, Olynyk averages 10.0 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Heat this season. He spent his first four seasons with the Celtics and has a career average of 9.7 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Bradley, who averages 8.5 points, has barely played this season due to COVID-19 and after a calf injury. He has also played for the Pistons, Clippers, Grizzlies and Lakers during his career and averages 11.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 11 seasons.