Victor Oladipo: Is retired| What happened to| Salary| Team| Age

Introduction

Victor Oladipo is a name synonymous with grit, defense, and high potential in the modern NBA era. In his prime, he was one of the league’s premier two-way guards—capable of locking down opponents on defense while producing offensively. But over recent years, injuries and roster changes have clouded his future. In this article, we address the burning questions: Is Victor Oladipo retired? What happened to him? What was his salary? Which team is he on (or was last on)? And how old is he? We’ll dive deep into his journey, the setbacks, and what the future might hold.

Early Life, College & Rise to Prominence

Before delving into his current status, understanding Oladipo’s background gives context to how high expectations for him once were.

• Full name & origins: Kehinde Babatunde Victor Oladipo was born May 4, 1992, in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA (or Upper Marlboro, depending on sources)

• College career: He played three seasons at Indiana University (2010–2013). His junior year was a breakout — he earned honors such as Sporting News College Player of the Year, first-team All-American, and co-Defensive Player of the Year (NABC)

• NBA draft & early years: In 2013, Oladipo was selected No. 2 overall by the Orlando Magic. He began his professional career in Orlando and showed flashes of solid two-way guard potential.

Over time, he would move through multiple teams, find his best seasons, but also suffer from serious injuries that altered his trajectory.

Career Timeline & Teams

Below is a more or less chronological review of his NBA journey, including key trades, performances, and transitions.

Orlando Magic (2013 – 2016)

Oladipo’s first years were with the Orlando Magic. He showed promise, but the team and role stability were limited.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2016 – 2017)

In June 2016, Oladipo was traded to the OKC Thunder, packaged with Ersan Ilyasova and rights to Domantas Sabonis, in exchange for Serge Ibaka. He earned a contract extension with OKC (4 years, $84 million), but injuries hampered consistent impact.

Indiana Pacers (2017 – 2020)

Arguably, Oladipo’s prime years came with the Indiana Pacers. He became an All-Star twice (2018, 2019) and made All-NBA / All-Defensive squads. His 2017-18 season was particularly noteworthy: he averaged ~23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and led the league in steals while shooting well from deep.

However, injuries began creeping in. A quadriceps tendon tear, knee issues, and other setbacks started to erode his durability.

Houston Rockets (2021)

In January 2021, Oladipo was traded to the Houston Rockets as part of a four-team deal involving James Harden. He had some strong performances (e.g. 32 points & 9 assists in a debut) but only played 20 games overall with Houston. Oladipo reportedly turned down a 2-year, $45.2 million extension from the Rockets.

Miami Heat (2021 – 2023)

Later in March 2021, he was traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and draft considerations.

Some key points during his Heat tenure:

• He underwent surgery in May 2021 to repair his right quadriceps tendon, ending that season early.

• In April 2022, he made his return from injury.

• In April 2023, in Game 3 of the playoffs versus the Milwaukee Bucks, Oladipo tore his left patellar tendon — a severe injury that effectively sidelined him.

• He still had a contract extension: in July 2022, he re-signed with the Heat on a two-year deal worth $18 million.

Trades & Free Agency (2023 – Present)

After the injury:

• On July 6, 2023, Oladipo was traded back to the Oklahoma City Thunder (with picks) in exchange for cash considerations.

• Before the 2023–24 season, OKC traded him (along with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl) to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Kevin Porter Jr. and draft pick swaps.

• In February 2024, Houston traded him (with draft picks) to the Memphis Grizzlies for Steven Adams.

• Shortly thereafter, Memphis waived him — he never actually played a game for them.

As of now, he is a free agent.

Age & Physical Profile

• Date of Birth: May 4, 1992

• Current Age: As of October 2025, he is 33 years old

• Height / Weight: About 6 ft 3 in, 213 lbs

Given the wear and tear from injuries plus advancing age, a return to peak form would be extremely challenging, though not necessarily impossible if health and rehab go well.

Has Victor Oladipo Retired?

One of the major questions floating around is whether Oladipo has formally retired.

What He Says: “I’m Not Retiring”

Despite not having logged an NBA game since April 2023, Oladipo has publicly denied that he is retired. In his podcast The Inner Court, he stated:

“I’m not retiring. It’s just not what I’m doing right now … I’ve got a ton left in the tank … I’m training, rehabbing every day.”

He has cautioned against believing rumors, saying that unless it’s “from the horse’s mouth,” people should not assume his career is over.

He has also taken on roles in media and broadcasting — for example, doing analyst work for ESPN — which may fuel speculation that he’s transitioning away from playing.

What Reality Suggests

• He hasn’t signed with any team since being waived in February 2024.

• In July 2025, he held a private workout in Las Vegas with international professionals, 5-on-5 scrimmages, and reportedly intrigued some attending NBA or European team representatives.

• No formal retirement announcement has been made.

Thus, as of now, he is not officially retired, but he is inactive and recovering / rehabbing with hopes (publicly, at least) of return.

What Happened to Victor Oladipo — The Injuries & Setbacks

The downfall, or rather the roadblock, in Oladipo’s story has been injuries. Let’s look in detail.

Major Injuries & Surgeries

1. Quadriceps tendon tears
   During his Indiana days, Oladipo tore his right quadriceps tendon. Later in his Miami tenure, he again underwent surgery for a quadriceps tendon issue.

2. Knee injuries
   Multiple knee issues have bothered him over the years, including cartilage, meniscus, and general wear.

3. Patellar tendon rupture (2023)
   The most serious blow came in April 2023, when he tore his left patellar tendon in a playoff game vs. the Bucks. That type of injury is often career-altering, especially for a player in his 30s.

Consequences & Declining Role

• Reduced explosiveness & defense: Recurring injuries diminish an athlete’s speed, explosiveness, lateral quickness — critical traits for Oladipo’s two-way style.

• Inconsistent availability: In his final years, Oladipo didn’t play more than ~50 games in any season, making it hard for teams to rely on him.

• Risk for teams: From a roster-building standpoint, signing a player with a history of serious injuries is a gamble. Many franchises likely weigh that risk heavily.

• Media pivot: With reduced playing time and health uncertainty, Oladipo has explored broadcast / analyst roles — which sometimes signal a shift away from active play.

Some long-time fans, observers, and forums speculate that his athleticism is not the same and that returning to prior defensive levels is unlikely.

Nevertheless, Oladipo maintains he’s actively rehabbing and holds hope for a comeback.

Salary, Career Earnings & Contracts

Annual Salaries & Contracts

Over his NBA career, Oladipo commanded some significant contracts:

• One of his largest contracts was the 4-year, $84 million extension with Oklahoma City.

• In July 2022, with the Heat, he signed a 2-year, $18 million deal.

• Earlier, the Rockets offered him a two-year, $45.2 million extension, which he declined.

Career Earnings & Notable Payouts

• According to a talkSPORT article, Oladipo claimed he never turned down a $160 million contract from the Pacers (contrary to widespread rumor). He clarified that he was offered three years, $80 million, but not the $160 million.

• Over his 10-year career, he earned approximately $124,764,581 in total salary.

These figures underscore that, despite injury setbacks, Oladipo made a substantial amount in his NBA tenure.

Last Known Team & Current Status

• Last Active Team: The Miami Heat (through the 2022–23 season) was his last team for which he played.

• Recent Transactions: Post-Heat, he was traded to OKC, then to Houston, then to Memphis — but never appeared in a game for those latter teams.

• Current Status: He is a free agent as of now, rehabbing, working out privately, and exploring media roles as well.

As of mid-2025, he held a private workout in Las Vegas that reportedly drew attention from NBA and European teams.

Challenges & Likelihood of Return

Given the facts, what are the realistic chances of Oladipo returning to the NBA? Some factors to weigh:

• Injury severity: The patellar tendon tear is serious, especially for a player already in his 30s. Recovery is uncertain.

• Physical decline: Even if rehab is successful, restoring pre-injury athleticism is tough after multiple surgeries and years of wear.

• Market risk: Teams may be hesitant to invest a roster spot or guaranteed money in a player with such injury history.

• Role redefinition: If he returns, it might be in a reduced role — spot minutes, mentor, defensive specialist off the bench.

• Motivation & mindset: Publicly, Oladipo has insisted he still has passion and wants to play. That subjective element can influence opportunities.

The fact that he is already dabbling in broadcasting and analysis suggests he’s preparing for life beyond court play — though that doesn’t mean retirement is certain.

FAQ & Common Questions

Q: Is Victor Oladipo officially retired?
A: No, he has not formally retired. He has repeatedly said, “I’m not retiring. It’s just not what I’m doing right now.”

Q: When did Oladipo last play?
A: His last game was in April 2023 with the Miami Heat, before suffering a torn patellar tendon in the playoffs.

Q: What is his current team?
A: He is a free agent; he has not signed with any team since being waived in February 2024.

Q: How much has he earned?
A: His career earnings are estimated at ~$124.76 million.

Q: How old is he?
A: Born May 4, 1992, he is 33 years old (as of October 2025).

Q: Could he come back?
A: He is trying. He’s rehabbing and has held a workout in 2025, though success is uncertain given age, injury history, and team risk considerations.

Summary & Outlook

Victor Oladipo’s story is one of brilliance, promise, and unfortunate setbacks. At his peak, he was one of the NBA’s most compelling two-way guards—capable of elite defense and effective offense. But injuries, especially the torn patellar tendon in 2023, have derailed momentum.

As of now, he is not retired, though inactive. He continues to rehab and train, and has explored media and analyst roles. Whether he can return to competitive NBA play remains uncertain. If he does, the return may look very different than his prime — a veteran role, limited minutes, perhaps in a supporting position.