Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo recently turned down a two-year contract extension of $ 45.2 million, the most the franchise could offer the agency before the free agency this summer, sources told ESPN. .
As expected, Oladipo is pursuing a long-term agreement, which the collective agreement allows the missiles to offer until the off-season.
Oladipo is in the final year of a $ 85 million deal, leaving the Rockets with several decisions to be made before the March 25 trading deadline, including whether it will be on guard in trade negotiations.
The transition status of the Rockets list makes it possible for the team to listen to offers as they get to know Oladipo better and get acquainted with the franchise, which he reached in mid-January in Indiana as part of James Harden. trade.
For the Rockets, after the era of James Harden and Russell Westbrook, there are several options with Oladipo, including assessing its value in the foreign exchange market, committing to a long-term agreement in the summer, working with Oladipo to get value in return. signing off-season and commercial negotiations or letting him go and use the space to enroll other players in the free agency.
It is common for teams to focus more on looking for transactions close to the deadline, which is still only a month away.
Oladipo, 28, has the chance to become one of the best players available at the time of trading or in a free agency. Miami and New York are among the teams that have shown interest in Oladipo and both have the maximum salary space to score in the summer.
Before the free agency begins, Houston could offer the guard a four-year extension of $ 131 million. When the free agency starts, the Rockets can offer up to four years for $ 151 million or five seasons for $ 195 million.
Oladipo, who demonstrated his ability to be an elite defender, averaged 18.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 13 Rocket games. In his nine years in the NBA, which includes stops with Orlando, Oklahoma City and Indiana, he has averaged 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
Policy insider Bobby Marks contributed to the report.