Targeting an NBA comeback! Oladipo joins Bucks' affiliate team: claimed by Warriors then traded to Wisconsin Herd

On November 10th Beijing time, ESPN’s Collier reported that two-time All-Star guard Oladipo is about to join the Milwaukee Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.

After participating in three preseason games this autumn for the Guangzhou Long-Lions in China, Oladipo entered the NBA G League player pool. The Santa Cruz Warriors claimed him and subsequently traded his returning rights to the Herd. The Herd officially confirmed Oladipo’s signing.

This two-time All-Star’s career has been hampered by a series of leg injuries, but he performed well against NBA players in the preseason. He averaged 27.9 minutes per game, contributing 19.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.7 steals, shooting 46.7% from the field, 25.0% from three, and 92.3% from the free-throw line.

This summer, Oladipo participated in tryouts for multiple NBA teams in Las Vegas but did not secure a contract. It’s reported that representatives from European clubs also attended his workouts, though the former number two overall pick stated last month that he had not seriously considered playing overseas.

“You know, if it comes down to it, that’s the last option, we’ll see,” Oladipo said at the time. “I’m definitely one of the best players, so the place I belong is those three letters: NBA.”

During the 2017-18 season, Oladipo was among the NBA’s top two-way players. He appeared in 75 games for the Pacers, averaging 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. He received votes for regular season MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, was named Most Improved Player, and earned spots on the All-NBA Third Team and the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

The 33-year-old was selected to the All-Star game for the second consecutive time but had his season cut short by a torn quadriceps tendon, causing him to miss nearly a full year of action. Even after returning, the injury continued to trouble him, leading to a second surgery in 2021.

Since first suffering a quadriceps tendon injury in January 2018, Oladipo has played only 102 NBA games. His most recent appearance was during the 2022-23 season with the Miami Heat. In April 2023, he tore his left patellar tendon in his final game with the Heat.