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Patrick Beverley: "I don't think it's fair that you can quit the game of basketball and come back. You can quit when not having a ton of success. You can quit because the game is hard and it's stressful when you're not playing well and the fans are on you and the media is on you, you can quit and have an opportunity to come back. When we've been looking at Victor Oladipo, who's been competing, who's been degrading himself, went to the G League, we witnessed Victor Oladipo work out in front of a ton of coaches and GMs and writing letters. This is the guy you pick? No disrespect from Ben Simmons, you feel me? Like I'm not with quitting the game of basketball because it's hard at the time and because I'm not playing right, I don't feel right. Everywhere I go, it's an issue and an excuse. I'm injured, and I understand injury, but to quit the game of basketball and to come back to get an opportunity, and you got Cam Thomas who don't have a job, who like putting in that work year after year and like a guy can just quit and come back anytime. I don't I don't like that at all."
The Kings, who took Acuff at No. 7 out of Arkansas in the June draft, were reportedly interested in veterans such as Russell Westbrook (who opted to retire) and Victor Oladipo before opting for Simmons. And so the latest Simmons experiment begins — again. The Kings weren’t the only team considering Simmons, as league sources say the Knicks and Warriors were also in the mix.
Victor Oladipo: Me, in this moment of my life, at 34 years old. The version of her dad that got kicked all the way down the mountain, then spent years trying to climb back up, only to get kicked back down, again and again … but never once quit trying to climb. The version of her dad that, let’s be real, is probably getting counted out by a lot of people, and is probably getting laughed at by a few of them … but has managed to keep his faith, and keep his purpose. The version of her dad that’s finally found the perspective, and the humility, to write a letter like this one. 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.
Victor Oladipo: So that’s where I’m at with everything. I don’t know how my journey here is going to end....... Maybe a team out there will give me a chance. Maybe no team will. That’s really up to you all. But if you’re in an NBA front office, and you took the time to read this: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I can promise you one thing, always, about my basketball story ... from the first page to the last.
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Jake Fischer: The Kings will begin a series of veteran workouts tomorrow by hosting Cam Payne, sources say. We’ve already reported Sacramento’s interest in Victor Oladipo. Another experienced ball handler the Kings are considering, per sources, is Elfrid Payton.
One more pressing Kings note as relayed by The People's Insider Jake Fischer: League sources say that Sacramento covets a veteran point guard to mentor prized rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and is thus now weighing the prospect of bringing back Russell Westbrook … or bringing in Victor Oladipo to fill that role. The Kings were among the teams to attend Oladipo's recent workout in Las Vegas during summer league.
Leion Hoops: This is what it’s all about: Victor Oladipo was in tears after his incredible workout in front of NBA scouts in Las Vegas. He is attempting to make it back into the NBA, and is clearly giving it his all. After the workout, he went and shook everyone’s hand that attended.
Former Indiana Pacers All-Star Victor Oladipo is starting his NBA comeback attempt with an open workout for scouts. Oladipo announced Friday he is planning to hold a "pro day" next Tuesday in Las Vegas. The workout is "open to NBA/Professional front office executives, scouts, coaches, league personnel, and officials interested in attending," Oladipo wrote.
Victor Oladipo: I’m a free agent. I don’t have an agent right now just me and my family. I know I have a lot left, and I genuinely love this game. I’d rather show you I’m ready than spend my time trying to explain why or flood you with analytics to prove it. If you’re about winning, value mentorship, and think there could be a fit, you can reach me directly. I’m open to every opportunity right now—I just want to make sure I weigh each one carefully. I can’t wait to share my story. \-#Invictus #BeAVictor
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As much as the idea of Thunder splurging for Giannis to counter Wemby might make sense on paper, league sources with knowledge of the Thunder's thinking continue to dismiss them as a legitimate Giannis Antetokounmpo suitor. The Thunder obviously have the draft capital and an abundance of talented young players to get Milwaukee's attention, but it's wise in times like these to consider Sam Presti's history. Presti is hardly known for paying exorbitant trade costs to bolster his roster ... let alone for an older newcomer like Antetokounmpo would be at 31. You'll recall that Paul George was 27 — smack dab in the middle of his prime — when the Thunder acquired PG-13 from the Pacers without even sacrificing a draft pick in a swap that sent Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo to Indiana.
Jake Fischer: Victor Oladipo will be joining the Wisconsin Herd, sources say. He was claimed off waivers by Santa Cruz and traded.
Marc Stein: Will be interesting now to see if Wisconsin’s acquisition of Victor Oladipo makes the Bucks/Herd any more willing to trade Dennis Smith Jr.’s G League rights to the Mavericks’ @TexasLegends affiliate. Wisconsin still holds DSJ’s rights; Milwaukee is in Dallas on Monday night.