The ESPN alert announcing the signing by the Sacramento Kings felt a bit excessive. But it is that time of year when there is so little happening. There has to be some news to push.
Some criticized the Kings for even considering a minimum contract for this former All-Star as a sign of their desperation. Or even considering a bevvy of other veteran players who had not been in the NBA for some time.
Generally clowning on the Kings is one thing every NBA team can enjoy (except may be the LA Clippers at this point).
Ben Simmons has become a person of ultimate derision. The former No. 1 pick flamed out of the NBA as confidence issues with his shooting made him difficult to play on a championship team. He took the 2026 season away from the NBA before signing a veteran's minimum deal with the Kings.
He was not the only player to go through the Kings' practice facility.
Sacramento was looking at several other veteran players, including former Magic guard Elfrid Payton. And former Magic guard Victor Oladipo.
Oladipo is making a bigger push to return to the NBA after suffering a patellar tendon rupture in the 2023 season. He wrote an impassioned plea to general managers explaining why he hopes to be back in the NBA after so long in The Players' Tribune.
It is all for his daughter.
"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."
Oladipo hosted a workout in Las Vegas during Summer League to try to drum up NBA interest and prove he was healthy. He reportedly worked out for the Kings before they signed Simmons. Oladipo is hoping to get one more shot at the NBA this season.
The Orlando Magic are not a likely option, even with an open roster spot at the moment. But Magic fans should be cheering for Oladipo to get another chance.
If he can earn another look somewhere in the league, he still has something to give.
Oladipo's time in Orlando
Victor Oladipo's time in Orlando always held a lot of promise.
The Orlando Magic took him with the second pick in the 2013 Draft. He was the team's first pick after trading Dwight Howard. Even in a weak draft, Oladipo was seen as a foundational piece for the future team the Magic planned to build.
The Magic certainly experimented, as Oladipo noted in his letter. The Magic tried to play him at point guard with no stakes in their rebuild seasons.
Oladipo had some big moments and showed glimmers of stardom in three seasons with Orlando. But because of the Magic's inconsistency with coaching and the team's lack of direction on the court, Oladipo got lost in the shuffle.
He averaged 15.9 points per game in his three seasons with the Magic. Facing a big contract extension and a third new coach in three years, the Orlando Magic traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a controversial deal that also sent Domantas Sabonis in exchange for Serge Ibaka.
The trade was not rock bottom for the Magic's failed rebuild under Rob Hennigan -- that would come soon enough. But it was pretty close.
Trading a still-promising young player for an expiring contract was a clear mistake for a rebuilding team. Ibaka would be gone by the deadline -- for fan favorite Terrence Ross, at least.
Oladipo learned a lot in his lone year with the Thunder. He then blossomed into an All-Star player with the Indiana Pacers. In his letter, he credited those mistakes made in Orlando for preparing him for that big breakthrough.
Oladipo's time as an All-Star -- 23.1 points per game in the 2018 season -- was short-lived as a ruptured quad tendon in the 2019 season essentially ended his career. He returend and played but struggled to regain his athleticism and skill. He was in and out of the lineup for the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat.
Oladipo has been on his own rehabbing and trying to get healthy. He is hoping to get his opporutnity now.
The Magic can only offer well wishes
The Orlando Magic are one of the teams with an open roster spot ahead of training camp.
For now, it seems like the Magic will keep that spot open.
The team announced this week it had signed veteran G-League players Malakhi Branham and J.D. Davison. They were both signed to Exhibit 10 deals and will likely spend the year on the Osceola Magic -- the Magic acquired Branham's G-League rights earlier this week.
Those are the only players the Magic are set to add before camp. They will keep that roster spot open.
Orlando is not in a position to add a player right now. The team is not looking to add salary and jump into the second apron. By waiting until after the deadline, the Magic can add a player without exceeding that limit.
Oladipo is hoping to latch on anywhere and prove he can still play in the NBA. As much as the Magic would be a nice reunion -- and his play at guard would help if he is up to snuff -- the Magic are likely looking elsewhere or trying to save money, leaving that roster spot open until later in the season.
Whether Oladipo can still play in the NBA is for someone in the league to determine. He is hoping to get that opportunity.
It still feels like a long shot considering his injuries and the direction the league has gone. But everyone should be cheering for him anyway.
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