How Victor Oladipo’s Trade to the Miami Heat Impacts NBA Title Odds

The 2021 NBA trade deadline is heating up! We’re tracking every move on deadline day, including how futures odds could be impacted with Victor Oladipo reportedly on his way out of Houston.

Trade Details

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, The Houston Rockets have made a deal to send Victor Oladipo to the Miami Heat at the deadline. The Heat will send back Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and a draft swap.

Oladipo to the Heat Analysis

Miami had always been at the top of Oladipo’s preferred destinations. With him entering unrestricted free agency this summer, the list of teams open to trading for him was short, and he and his agent were able to exert pressure to keep his list of potential trade destinations short.

The Heat, meanwhile, did what they typically do: Moved veteran rotation players and a first-round pick swap for a good player with something to prove. They did the same with Jimmy Butler in free agency when he was considered a headache. The Heat held firm in talks with the Raptors for Kyle Lowry, refusing to give up Tyler Herro and calling the Raptors’ bluff.

The Heat were able to do that because they knew Oladipo was the second option. Now Oladipo joins Miami and don’t be surprised if he looks remarkably different from the struggling version in Houston.

He gives Miami another perimeter threat next to Butler, Goran Dragic, and  Herro, and if his health stabilizes; he’s a quality shooter and defender. The reputation on Oladipo had been about his attitude, but part of that was formed due to his desire for a different market. He wound up on South Beach, and is likely to rededicate himself.

Losing Bradley is of little consequence as he was barely in the rotation due to injuries this season. Olynyk is a bit of a bigger loss, but the team is high enough on Precious Achiuwa to want to give him more minutes. The Heat are also expected to add LaMarcus Aldridge in a buy-out.

Once again, Miami is going for it. — Matt Moore

How the Trade Impacts Odds

The Miami Heat were 34-1 on Wednesday afternoon and have moved to 25-1 since the move at the deadline on DraftKings.