The Miami Heat traded for Victor Oladipo last season in hopes of him providing an extra punch for them. Oladipo barely played before undergoing another knee surgery, but the Heat brought him back on a one-year deal for 2021-22 in case he could return and potentially be a part of the future.

While Oladipo hasn't played yet this season, it seems he could finally be on the verge of a comeback. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says “it wouldn’t be a surprise if he returns at some point in February, which was the original expectation of the Heat.”

Jackson also offered up this on Oladipo's recovery:

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Victor Oladipo, working his way back from a major offseason knee surgery, moved around very well on the Heat’s practice court following Tuesday’s session, lofting jumpers in a vigorous workout, running without any visible limp and working with Heat assistant coaches.

His jump shot was generally on target and he was the last player to leave the court.

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Oladipo originally suffered a devastating knee injury as a member of the Indiana Pacers. He missed a good chunk of the 2018-19 season and then a portion of the 2019-20 season as well because of it. The two-time All-Star was traded to the Houston Rockets as part of the James Harden deal in 2020-21, and then he was later traded to Miami, where he has played just four games.

The Heat shouldn't expect a whole lot out of Oladipo when he returns to the lineup, but even if he's not close to what he once was, a little extra juice off the bench could help. Miami currently sits on top of the Eastern Conference with a 30-17 record.