@heatnationpage/Instagram Dr. Jonathon Glashow reveals a promising update regarding Miami Heat All-Star Victor Oladipo's return timetable.
The Miami Heat have a stacked starting lineup following a flurry of free agency moves earlier this month, but the team stands to get even better once the 2021-22 NBA season starts once Victor Oladipo returns to action.
The Heat took a gamble resigning Oladipo, who requires ample time to rehab his second quadriceps injury before he’s back on the court. Despite not being expected to play until 2022, Miami signed the guard to a one-year, veteran’s minimum contract, per Sports Illustrated.
On August 20, however, Dr. Jonathon Glashow, who performed Oladipo’s season-ending surgery, revealed Miami’s gamble on the two-time All-Star was not in vain and that Oladipo is expected to be back in action before the new year.
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“I repaired the quad tendon and did it a little differently than [he had] it done before,” Dr. Glashow told ESPN. “The quad wasn’t really hooked up. It was torn, and I reattached it. I was amazed he was playing with what he had. I’m very optimistic that I could clear him in six months, by November. I think he’s going to play really well again… [The surgery] went extremely well, and it’s healing beautifully. I’m confident he’ll play next year.”
The 29-year-old guard first joined the Heat on March 25, a trade deal that involved Miami sending Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and a 2022 draft pick to the Houston Rockets in exchange for the two-time All-Star.
Oladipo made it clear that he wanted to stay with the Heat for the long term following the trade. He put down some very expensive roots in Miami, purchasing a $7.8 million home on Hibiscus Drive, as reported by The Real Deal.
Oladipo Underwent Season-Ending Surgery in May
After just four games with the Heat, Oladipo suffered a non-contact injury on April 8 and never returned to action. He underwent season-ending surgery on his reinjured knee in May and isn’t expected to be able to back to full health until November.
Even though Miami obtained his Bird Rights when he was traded from the Houston Rockets, Heat President Pat Riley didn’t exactly give Oladipo a vote of confidence that’s he’d remain in South Beach during his annual postseason press conference.
“He’s like any other free agent on the team who sustained an injury. He will be rehabbing with us until he’s healthy enough to get out of that cast,” Riley said on June 3. “We will monitor him, work with him, and then see what happens in August when we sit down to talk to him.”
If Oladipo is able to return to full health, or even just a strong semblance of his All-Star self, he could turn out to be the formidable offensive weapon the Heat were looking for when they first signed him.
Oladipo was Expected to Go Unsigned Until He Could Return to Action
Welcome to the Excel Family Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo)! Let’s get to work! #exceling
Oladipo made the splashy move of switching agents just before free agency started, signing with Jeff Schwartz and Javon Phillipos of Excel Sports Management, which led many to believe he would continue to make an effort to get the max extension he wanted before getting injured.
However, Sports Illustrated‘s Chris Mannix reported that there was a good chance the extremely injury-prone guard remained unsigned even when the 2021-22 NBA season starts:
“Is there a market for Victor Oladipo? Surgery to repair a torn quad in May will keep him out for the start of the season, and teams have become increasingly wary about his long-term health. Several execs say it’s possible Oladipo, 29, could go unsigned for the next few months, until he can show he is ready to play.”
While Oladipo’s play has been limited due to ongoing injuries over the past three seasons, he’s a force to be reckoned with when healthy. His career averages are 17.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
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