The Victor Oladipo saga continues as yet another wrinkle has surfaced after the Indiana Pacers star vowed to skip out on the restart of the 2019-20 NBA season in Orlando but recently started debating his decision.
The 2019 All-Star has $3 million remaining of his $21 million 2019-20 salary, which has now been put in question since Oladipo chose to sit out, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
By the letter of the law, Oladipo should not receive his remaining salary, even if the Pacers are willing to pay him in full despite his decision. Yet the NBA, hoping to set a precedent in case other players deemed healthy want to leave Orlando and no longer play, believes Oladipo should not be paid.
Recent public comments about feeling healthy have only cemented the league's position on the matter, per Windhorst.
Oladipo has impressed in recent practices with the team, looking healthier than he was upon a Jan. 19 return. The jury is still out for whether he will reconsider his decision and join his teammates in Orlando, which would render the aforementioned debate irrelevant.
Pacers coach Nate McMillan welcomed a potential change of heart earlier this week:
“We are not approaching it as if he's not playing,” said McMillan. “We are putting him out there. There are no restrictions for Vic. He's been going hard.”
If Oladipo chooses to sit out, the NBA could push for him to not be paid in order to keep other players from demanding their full salary. If the 28-year-old sit out, rest assured the league will fight to set the right precedent, even if the Pacers are willing to compensate him in full.
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