Victor Oladipo ran out of time in Orlando

Victor Oladipo was once promised to be the Orlando Magic’s next star. After three years of promise, he ran out of time to prove his stardom.

The Orlando Magic needed to make a move if they wanted to keep up their dramatic shift in the organization.

By hiring ex-Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel to man the helm, fans were eager to see what other moves would be made prior to free agency. A trade was expected, if not encouraged, for the Magic to try to attain a viable game-changer.

Entering the draft, many basketball fans had no idea what their favorite teams were up to, multiple teams were attempting to pry Jimmy Butler and Gordon Hayward in exchange for players and draft picks, everyone was up in a frenzy over the draft, which was considered to be weak by many.

After many rumors surfaced and nothing came from it, the Magic were up to their No. 11 selection. They selected Domontas Sabonis, which seemed fishy, considering the Magic never even worked him out in Orlando. Then, in a  move that stunned many, they flipped him along with Ersan Ilyasova and Victor Oladipo, to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Serge Ibaka.

Just like that, Victor Oladipo’s time in Orlando had come to a sudden end.

The fan-proclaimed face of the franchise was no longer a part of the franchise, a move that initially frustrated many Magic fans, who were sure he would become the next Anfernee Hardaway or make a Dwight Howard-impact on the franchise.

He never got the chance.

Drafted with the second overall pick in 2013, the Magic selected Oladipo as the first piece of their rebuild. He became a fan favorite during his post-draft interview stating, “I’m going to bring a work ethic that they (Orlando Magic) have probably never seen before.”

It certainly seemed that way as well, as Olaidpo earned a spot on the Rising Stars challenge roster, and finished second in rookie of the year voting behind winner Michael Carter-Williams.

Oladipo had much to offer, a high defensive motor, above average slashing skills, and most of all athleticism. Many NBA officials had compared him to the likes of Dwyane Wade, which was the best mold for him to follow. Similar size and wingspans, similar playing styles, on top of the fact that both Wade and Oladipo were both coached by Tom Crean in college.

Oladipo had been the first sign of hope following the Dwight Howard fiasco. Following a 20-win season, finishing well below .500 for the first time since the 2007 season. The Orlando Magic fan base was so accustomed to winning, it was painful watching them go back to square one.

Oladipo seemed like he was going to be the guy leading them back to where they needed to be. But it was clear he was going to need some help along the way.

In 2014, the Magic paired Victor Oladipo with another lanky guard, Elfrid Payton. This tandem was destined to be one of the league’s top defensive backcourt for years to come. They most certainly had their ups and downs, but many fans were eager to see how they would develop alongside each other. It was easy to see them mesh together, as Payton would find Oladipo anywhere he was on the court.

They were not without their limitations, both struggled shooting the ball and getting to the free throw line, which is not a quality a team would want from its starting backcourt. They were still very young, so there would be time to work on their strengths and weaknesses.

This past season, new head coach Scott Skiles was brought in to help Oladipo, alongside the rest of the team take the next step. Many people were hopeful for the Magic to make the playoffs, with Oladipo leading the way.

However, month after month, it became evident Victor Oladipo might not be the guy for the team. The inconsistency in his game was worrisome, although all-stars and superstars end up going into a slump every now and then, they generally do not last for an entire month at a time.

Going from 38 percent shooting one month to 45 percent the next, then dipping back down the month after, caused a bit of confusion on what Oladipo’s role on the team was supposed to be.

The Magic ended up playing their best basketball of the season, while he was coming off the bench leading the second unit. Meaning he was not getting as much playing time with the starters, which is a red flag considering how much better the Magic were playing without him. The Magic ended up with 35 wins this past season, and many questions marks surrounded the team, there was surely going to be some moves made, if the Magic are going to take a significant step any time soon.

The front office determined that two years seemed to be enough time for the Magic to justify whether or not Victor Oladipo can coexist with the team, in particular Elfrid Payton, his fellow backcourt starter and whether he could turn into a star. As a result, Oladipo was sent to the Thunder, so the answer was a clear cut no.

Thus, ending the Victor Oladipo era in Orlando, in the blink of an eye. A trade that was necessary, although critiqued by plenty.

Rob Hennigan said so himself in the press conference following the trade: “You have to give up something good to get something good.”

Which is exactly what the Magic did.

Considering the Magic would have a logjam at the guard position, with Oladipo, Evan Fournier, and Mario Hezonja, someone had to go. With Fournier being a restricted free agent, and Oladipo hitting free agency the next year, it would be hard to put a lot of money for one of those players to be coming off the bench.

Undoubtedly, Victor Oladipo sparked the regeneration of Orlando Magic basketball, and is credited with keeping the organization out of being abysmal, with his unhateable persona, his off the court demeanor, and being that he was just all around fun to watch.

Next: Orlando Magic get their welcome to Summer League

He will be sorely missed, and it will be quite strange to see him in a different uniform during the upcoming season.