Should the Cleveland Cavaliers take a flier on Victor Oladipo for its final roster spot?

Should the Cleveland Cavaliers take a flier on Victor Oladipo for its final roster spot?

Uh, just a real quick guys, but over the weekend, the Cavs, as part of their trip to Las Vegas attended Victor Oladipo’s comeback workout. Dan Gilbert has been infatuated reportedly with Victor Oladipo for a while now. He has not been healthy. He’s not been much of a contributor on the NBA level for a few years, but the Cavs do have one open roster spot left. It’ll be a minimum slot is Victor Oladipo, a former NBA All-Star in his own right, before some injuries took their toll on him. Worth a flyer for that final 14th roster spot. Well, as the um lieutenant General project stockpile. I’m always available um to take former All-Stars upon the roster, especially if it’s the last one. Now we talk about injuries. Victor Oladipo is more injured to me. Like he didn’t tore knees, he had, he had a quad that looked nasty. Well it was, it was a tough, nasty injury. I think he’s had an Achilles injury. I think he’s, he’s had an ACL and a quad and um, yeah, he’s had a bunch of stuff, man, um, but you know, when you’re the Cavs and you’re at this point. And doing what they’re doing, by the way, I know this is, this is an aside, but uh I’ve been watching Evan Mobley packages. I don’t know if Mike McNuggets have seen that. I got some bookmarked. I was trying to get off the interweb during my trip, but I, — I saw a couple
— a couple what are you talking about? Mobley’s adding to the. Oh, he’s in the labs with the pen in the, he had a do-rag on too. He had a do-rag on. I was like. And what they do. I said, OK, I see what you’re doing, big dog. We, we’ll say that little like tattoo on the Tyson tattoo Mat Mobley is different. Like that is like that’s half of KD’s game. So yeah, I’m just glad about that. But real quick Mobley with a do-rag. come in the next day and be like, oh, he’s got that dog in him. Right. Like that’s all he was missing was the neck, — I
— saw him. Ah, he got the dog in them now. I listen, I, Oladipo, man, I, I feel sorry for him because there was once upon a time, way back, and I wanna go back to about 2018, 1st round of the playoffs, the Indiana Pacers, the second, uh, you know, the second version of the Pacers because they had Paul George and them dudes, but Victor Oladipo against the Cavs in that series, by the way. They had full-fledged LeBron. And they they listen, they had to go to 4 games, 7 games to beat them. They beat them 4 games to 3 in the first round. Maybe that’s why Dan likes him so much. He was, he was, I remember that so. Is Victor Oladipo that nice? I thought he had a nice, he had a nice comeback when he was playing for the Heat, was playing well, um, but hey, look, man, if they wanna bring Oladipo in, I got a problem with it. They could do a lot worse, uh, but you know, you said you’re not, you like it? I, I’m not amused by this. This is the water and this is Jason Lloyd for water. I mean, listen, he’s played the equivalent of one NBA season over the last 5 years. What are you really going to to get out? You’re hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. Yeah. And how often does that actually happen? He’s missed the last 2 years. It’s true. Dan. Love this is what’s funny about the Cavs. Dan wanted Oladipo. Dan loved Oladipo coming out of that draft. Chris Grant, the general manager, wanted Ben McLemore, and they drafted Anthony Bennett. I mean, it was a bad draft realized that that’s crazy. Yeah, that was a bad draft and and didn’t somebody, didn’t somebody in the organization want Derek Williams? Like, — because it was the Kyrie I
— can’t put names on it, but there was a, it’s my understanding there was a strong debate within the organization of going the Derek Williams — Brandon Knight route versus the Kyrie Tristan route which they wound up going
— in. And by the way, they made the the best decision and Derek Williams ended up playing for him anyway. Yeah, — he did
— he didn’t do anything at all, uh, but I’m, I’m not really interested in this much at all. I, I don’t know what kind of What he could possibly have left to give them, you’re, I’m looking at that last spot more as a locker room guy really than anything. Uh, he’d be a good locker room guy. I would rather them singer. I would rather than he’s got a terrific voice. I’d rather bring Tristan back if I’m being honest for that last spot and maybe, maybe that’s some personal. — I that is that
— do you think that is an option? I don’t see why not. — I
— thought he was already part of the, well, maybe I’m doing the math wrong. I thought you was already counting Tristan as part of it. No, he’s he’s free agent. Oh well, I didn’t know that changes things a little bit. I the only thing that I ask is this. What if he’s mended. You’re not gonna need him to give you big minutes. No, you need him for April, May and June. That’s it. And if, if he could survive the 1st 3 or 4 months of the season and still be a contributor when the playoffs start. I’d love to have him. I, I, — I hear you
— all those things being true, but you just don’t know if he’s gonna get there. And I think that’s probably why they’re checking him out and kicking the tires. But yeah, yeah, I think you’re foolish if you don’t, yeah, oh sure, like, go look, and I think I’m sure they’re saying, hey, look, all we need him for is May, you know, but, but with him because he’s missed so much time. He does have to play. You gotta, you gotta get in game shape. So he does have to. If this was a guy who is just coming off one injury, he was really good last year, missed this season, yeah, you know, we’re talking about like he hasn’t played significant basketball in 5 years. — He had
— 138 games, Jason, since the start of the 20. 18 seasons. Yeah, I mean, he just hasn’t played, so he has to play in order to contribute in April, May and June. You have to play them. Do you, do you think they could be thinking about us like this? Well, we got two guys on the roster if we take them. We got Lonzo Ball who got some of the same stuff. Uh, we got Victor Olodipo. If we can get a whole, we can platoon one of them and get some games out of them and get both of them ready. How old is? — Is he
— 3? 2, 33. He is, he just turned 33. OK. This is, you know, cause to me, I look at it like this. I look at this Cavs team kinda in the mode of, remember, it kind of remind me of 2016 when they just had. I mean, they had, they went down to the mat with like, you know, they had Jefferson and, and even uh uh Dante Jones and, and, and the other Jones and they basically had all these older dudes, right? And they were like, listen, some of these dudes ain’t never gonna play, some of them are specialists and some of them is just for the mentality, right? And I look at the Cavs and I think if you look at their roster right now. And the way everybody else is in shambles. I think that they probably are by far to me, probably the favors to get out of east and they’re looking at these other dudes like I mean, if I can get a couple jumpers from Victor Oladipo in a couple of minutes against SGA, — it’s
— enticing. I think, I think. You’ve already got one reclamation project in Lonzo Ball. You don’t, you don’t have time for two. You’re trying to win a championship. No, that’s a, that’s a good point. — I think both of them
— fail, then you got nothing. Yeah, I think Lonzo is the guy where you can have the conversation of, hey, we can limit his minutes during the regular season. In hopes of keeping him healthy for April, May and June because he’s played a little bit more than Oladipo. Oladipo the fact Oladipo’s missed what the last two years, I think, like 4 seasons he’s been out of the league. Yeah, he had a, I just don’t, I don’t, — I don’t
— he’d have to come out all depending with that worker, he, he’d have to be, I don’t know how, how do they work it out like because I wanna see you playing in these workouts that he’s gonna be doing 505 or just shooting stuff, probably just private workout, right? Just no, no, I don’t think he’d be. Actually, I, I, to my knowledge, and I’m not sure about this one in particular, but in general these kind of workouts are you go through certain drills, it’s it’s not even really one on one. And I’m sure that there were physicals involved or doctors, no — no
— that’s the big thing like if, if the, if the, if the Cavs medical staff kicked the tires and said, guys, we think he’s OK. Then, then, then I’d be more inclined to take a flyer on. — I’m
— totally, totally guessing on this. I’m guessing Oladipot showed up with his own medical records, right? — And then if it’s the way you have to and
— then if it gets to that, then before a deal is made, then we get to their hands. I’m, I’m not laughing at it because I like I feel like I’ve done that before. Like I pulled up to, I’m healthy, I swear. I pulled up to and be like, yeah, this is uh this is all my doctor’s notes from Cleveland Clinic. So we can we skip all the physical therapy? I just need this surgery real quick. They’re like, sir, that’s not the way it works. All right, well, listen, call the insurance company, man.

Victor Oladipo hasn’t played in the best basketball league in the world since he suited up in two games for the Miami Heat in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, yet at the age of 33, he’s attempting to make a professional comeback. Oladipo recently worked out in Las Vegas in front of people in NBA circles, and according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office was among the folks in attendance for Oladipo’s workout. Gilbert likely wishes he could go back in time so that the Cavaliers could draft Oladipo instead, as the guard was a bona fide star in his prime. His best season came in the 2017-18 campaign when he averaged a career-high 23.1 points per game and was named an All-Star. | https://cavaliersnation.com/2025/07/20/report-cavs-linked-to-victor-oladipo-who-once-had-a-massive-fan-in-dan-gilbert/

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert was allegedly once a “massive” fan of Oladipo’s, too.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Epicor
From small businesses with big dreams to growing enterprises with global vision, we’ll equip you with the right tools to move forward, think ahead, and lead the way. Discover your success at www.easierwithepicor.com.
Living For We
New episodes drop every other Tuesday, starting February 11th. Listen to Living For We wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video version on Ideastream’s YouTube channel. Learn more at ideastream.com/podcast/living-for-we.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k
Did you know your Fire TV is also an Xbox? Turn any TV into your gaming and entertainment hub with Fire TV Stick 4K devices — no console required. Head to Amazon.com/firetvlockedon to get started. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and compatible controller required.
Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.
Buckeye State Credit Union is a LOCAL brand that offers a wide range of products from checking accounts to home equity lines of credit & auto loans. Head to Buckeyecu.org for more information.
Menu RX: “Whether you’re chasing peak performance, building your dream body, or seeking optimal longevity, Menu-Rx will help you reach your goals. Go to Menu-RX dot com to get your consultation today.”
Buckeye State Credit Union
Experience the difference with Buckeye State Credit Union. We make banking effortless and convenient for you. Visit us online at buckeyecu.org and discover how Buckeye State Credit Union simplifies your financial journey. Buckeye State Credit Union – Your Money, Simplified.

Subscribe and ring the bell for the latest talk about the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ohio State Buckeyes: https://bit.ly/ucss_subscribe

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ultclesports

Watch live on YouTube 11 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays on YouTube and WKYC+ on your Roku and Fire TV apps!

The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show is your daily source of the best conversation about the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ohio State Buckeyes, as well as sports throughout Northeast Ohio. Produced by Mike Lucas, Anthony Antonelli, and Earl Mauldin. Hosted by Jay Crawford, Adam the Bull, G Bush, Jason Lloyd, and Tyvis Powell.