Major signing! Welcome, Oladipo! NBA All-Star joins the G League

Oladipo has signed with the Wisconsin Herd, the G League team affiliated with the Milwaukee Bucks.

In this NBA preseason, Oladipo represented Guangzhou in three games, posting averages of 19.3 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2.3 steals, shooting 46.6%, 25%, and 92.3% from the field, three-point line, and free throws respectively. Many thought he would join the team to play in the Chinese Basketball Association, but he preferred to compete in the G League.

Born on May 4, 1992, this 33-year-old 1.91-meter tall combo guard was the 2013 second overall draft pick. In his NBA career, he averaged 16.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.6 steals in regular season games, and 14.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 steals in the playoffs, having played for the Magic, Thunder, Pacers, Rockets, and Heat.

At his peak—or more precisely, when healthy—Oladipo was a top-tier scorer and defender. His best season (2017-18 with the Pacers) saw him average 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. He was twice selected as an NBA All-Star, once named Most Improved Player, made the All-NBA Third Team, the NBA All-Defensive First Team, and led the league in steals. He was one of the few guards excelling on both ends of the floor.

Unfortunately, since 2019, Oladipo has been plagued by injuries that have derailed his career, including a torn right patellar tendon, right quadriceps surgery, and left knee injuries. His last NBA regular-season appearance dates back to April 2023. Although he is still striving to return to the league, it now seems almost impossible.

If Oladipo wished, he could easily secure a lucrative contract overseas, but he appears committed only to the NBA. As a result, he has been unemployed for a long time and has only now found an uncertain opportunity in the G League.

Over his 10-year NBA career, Oladipo has earned over $100 million in salary according to incomplete statistics. Financially secure, he has no pressing need to chase money abroad and can pursue his nearly unattainable comeback without financial pressure. This level of dedication is admirable, though whether one agrees with it is another matter.

“There is only one kind of heroism in this world: to recognize the truth and still love life.”