Report: Pacers send Victor Oladipo to Rockets as part of James Harden overhaul
Another big name is moving in the landscape-shattering James Harden trade. With Harden headed to the Brooklyn Nets, the Houston Rockets are acquiring Victor Oladipo from the Indiana Pacers, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports.
The Pacers will receive Caris LeVert and a second-round draft pick in return, per the report. The Rockets acquired LeVert from the Nets along with Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, four first-round picks and four first-round pick swaps in a three-team deal that also included the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland acquired Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince in the trade.
How will Oladipo, LeVert fit in new roles?
Oladipo will join John Wall as a focal point of an overhauled Rockets roster that’s now parted ways with Harden and Russell Westbrook since last season. After coming off the bench in Brooklyn, LeVert will presumably take a featured role alongside Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis in Indiana.
Oladipo, 28, has recently returned from a torn quad tendon that cost him most of the last two seasons. A two-time All-Star, the 6-foot-4 guard returned to play in the NBA bubble last summer and has played in nine of the Pacers’ 11 games this season, averaging 20 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 42.1 percent from the field.
LeVert, 26, has thrived in limited playing time in Brooklyn and stepped up when asked to play a featured role when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving haven’t been available. In 27.4 minutes per game this season, the 6-6 wing has averaged 18.5 points, six assists and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 43.5 percent from the field. He broke out last season as a valuable role player in Brooklyn and promises to have a larger role with the Pacers moving forward.
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