Victor Oladipo never turned down $160 million from the Indiana Pacers.
The former All-Star turned ESPN analyst wants to clear up any confusion.
Oladipo made the All-Star team twice during his time in Indiana (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
He never turned down that life-changing money for one simple reason.
He was never offered it.
Appearing on Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem’s podcast, The OGs, Oladipo set the record straight.
“I never, ever, got offered $160 million,” he said.
“Maybe one day in the future. [They offered] three years, $80 [million]. Less than what I had but pretty much about the same.”
Oladipo wanted to address the noise and clear everything up, as this long-standing rumor has followed him around for a while.
At the time, Oladipo instead rejected a three-year, $80 million contract, which would have paid him around $27 million a year, up from the $20 million a year he was currently making.
He wanted a max contract, which he felt his play was worthy of at the time, but unfortunately the Pacers had other ideas.
Not only did the Indiana front office not offer him the $160 million, he believes the injury wasn’t healing properly
And that those around him were not giving him the full story.
Oladipo played for the Pacers from 2017-2021, before being traded (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
“My doctors and everybody was telling me I was getting healthier, even though, unfortunately, my surgery wasn’t done correctly.
“I made that decision, thinking I was getting better. And then, my first three or four games in Indy that year, I averaged 20. That’s why they traded me.
“Inside scoop, they knew my sh**** was f**** up too. That’s pretty much what happened, never got $160 million, I would’ve took it.”
Oladipo was a two-time All-Star at the time and was on the trajectory to be one of the league’s bright young players ready to make the next leap.
That is why Oladipo feels he was justified in holding out for more money.
Knowing what he knows now, he probably would have chosen differently.
While hindsight is 20/20, Oladipo still made $124,764,581 million over the course of his ten-year career.
While he may have never got an offer for $160 million, the near $125million in career earnings isn’t too shabby.
Oladipo has been hired by ESPN to work as an analyst and while he hasn’t officially retired yet – his social media posts in the summer hinted he may not be back on a professional basketball court any time soon.
“Good morning I just want to let everyone know it’s a very different time in my life and I can’t share my time and energy anymore,” he posted to X in July
“I want to make everyone happy and be there for everybody especially those I care about, but I’m now called to walk a different path. I hope everyone can respect and understand that. You’ll soon see why. Peace be Unto You.”
