Miami Heat have reportedly scouted at Victor Oladipo’s workout

Former Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo is eyeing an NBA comeback, with the Heat as one of the represented teams in attendance at a recent Vegas workout. (Photo via NBA.com)

Victor Oladipo suffered a devastating season-ending knee injury as a member of the Miami Heat. This occurred at the beginning of the team’s historic 2023 playoff run. After being dealt with several knee injuries in the few years leading up, the former All-Star has yet to receive another NBA opportunity ever since.

However, Oladipo has had the previous two full seasons off to rehab and recover. And he iterates that he is at full strength, both mentally and physically.

“I feel so great right now! Better than I felt in the last 7 years mind, body and soul,” Oladipo shared on a recent X tweet. “I know I am a fighter! I know I am a warrior! I have seen every lens this game and this league has to offer. I know I can help any team in any role win in any way! I also know the people want to see me succeed in this game and play at the highest level again. My injuries are behind me and it will never happen again! I am at peace with that and my past. I’m ready to build a present now and future of a life time.”

The former Heat guard last averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. He managed over 40% shooting in 26.3 minutes per game during the 2022-23 campaign for Miami.

After his arrival, he unfortunately never got back to that true All-Star form that he displayed as a member of the Indiana Pacers. This was evident in the two and a half seasons in South Beach, but he still had an impactful bench role under coach Erik Spoelstra.

He most notably led the second unit in Miami’s 2022 playoff run. Additionally, he helped lead them to the number one seed in the Eastern Conference that same year. Oladipo’s passion, point-of-attack defense, and occasional scoring bursts were an encouraging piece of the Heat’s rotation.

Victor Oladipo has been “impressing” teams during workouts in Las Vegas amidst working towards an NBA return.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Woo, he mentioned that Oladipo has looked impressive in private workouts—with several NBA team scouts in attendance.

“The two-time All-Star, 33, was part of a well-attended private workout in Las Vegas on Monday morning, with a large contingent of NBA and European teams attending. Oladipo played full-court five-on-five in a group workout of international pros. Multiple team sources in attendance came away impressed, with Oladipo described as being in excellent shape as he pursues another comeback.”

— Jeremy Woo

Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel also had confirmed that the Heat were one of the organizations represented in this Vegas workout. “Oladipo has been very public about intentions to get back into the league,” Winderman said. He added, “with the Heat among the teams scouting in his Monday scrimmage work.”

As mentioned, Oladipo’s last NBA action was in that 2023 playoff run with Miami. He suffered a torn left patellar tendon in his left knee. The injury happened while going downhill attacking the basket in game 3 of the Heat’s first-round series versus the Milwaukee Bucks.

Despite the Heat reportedly observing Oladipo’s latest comeback attempt, it remains unclear if a reunion is a real possibility.

The experiment to bring in the two-time All-Star at the 2021 trade deadline featured an assortment of longer-term injuries and rehab processes. However, if he is looking as healthy and impressive as it seems in these workouts, a return to an NBA stage is assuredly still in the cards for him. His charisma and mental fight is inspiring, and it always has been during his time in the league.

At 33 years old, there could still be a few more seasons left in the tank, if given the chance to prove so. Nobody would be expecting a peak version of Oladipo at this stage anymore— maybe not even close to it. But for the locker room presence and/or the ability to provide a two-way spark off the bench role for 20 minutes a night still holds value for a veteran minimum contract.

Whether it’s the Heat or any other team that takes a flyer on the talented guard, any NBA fan should be rooting for Oladipo.

Miami Heat have reportedly scouted at Victor Oladipo’s workout

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