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Victor Oladipo’s extension does not change stakes of Serge Ibaka trade

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Oct 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket in front of Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5) drives to the basket in front of Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bismack Biyombo, Toronto Raptors, Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
Mar 20, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) looks to play a ball as Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) tries to defend during the fourth quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

The financial decision

That leads to the financial decision Oladipo had to make.

Almost certainly if he had stayed with the Magic, he would have remained the featured player and demanded a max salary that would have started at $25.5 million with 7.5 percent raises for the next three season. Oladipo’s max extension would have been an estimated $114.1 million over four years. Even at a little bit less, Oladipo would have a starting salary north of $20 million, not just south of $19 million.

Oladipo left a lot of money on the table if he truly could get a full max contract.

This almost certainly was one of the Magic’s fears and one of the reasons Oladipo was available. Evan Fournier was a much cheaper option and someone who fit a role better perhaps than Oladipo who needed the ball in his hands more often.

Then again, if the Magic are prepared to give Ibaka a max contract, he could make much more. Whereas Oladipo can only get 25 percent of the salary cap because of his years of experience, Ibaka is eligible to make 30 percent of the cap.

For the Magic this summer, the potential defense Ibaka could bring was worth more than waiting on Oladipo to develop into that superstar they needed. Betting Oladipo would not turn into a star seemed pretty safe after the first two years and how this season has started.

Ibaka’s defensive fall off so far this season has been the most surprising thing. Unless Ibaka turns things around on that end, the Magic will almost certainly be losers of this deal.

Fortunately, they will not be long-term losers. If Ibaka disappoints, it is fairly easy to let him walk and then have a $20 million salary hole to fill. The question is then does that mean the Magic were OK losing Oladipo essentially for nothing.