Fanduel
Log In
The Duel

Victor Oladipo Fantasy Outlook Rising Following News of Expected Return Date

By David Kaestle

Victor Oladipo on the bench during a recent Pacers game.
Victor Oladipo on the bench during a recent Pacers game. / Justin Casterline/Getty Images
facebooktwitterreddit

Indiana Pacers star shooting guard Victor Oladipo has been out for the entire year after suffering a ruptured quad during the 2018-19 season. The Pacers have been playing solid basketball without him so far, currently holding a 23-14 record, which is good for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

While that's not where the Pacers hope to be come season's end, it's a solid spot to be in while missing their best player, and their savior's return is on the horizon. Oladipo announced on Wednesday that his target return date is January 29.

Upon his return, Oladipo is expected to resume his role as the Pacers' No. 1 scoring option. Averaging 18.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game in 2018-19 before suffering the injury, the Pacers and Oladipo's fantasy owners should be ecstatic for his return. He is a contributor in multiple crucial categories, including on defense where he's averaged 2.4 and 1.7 steals per game the last two seasons, respectively.

Like in fantasy football, so much of fantasy basketball success is based on opportunity and as the team's unquestioned leader, Oladipo should get plenty of it. If he is somehow still on the waiver wire in your league, pick him up, immediately.

If you drafted him awaiting this moment, get ready to insert him into your lineup. However, it's understandable if you would like to wait a few games and see how he comes back off such a serious injury, as he may be dealing with minute restrictions when he first returns.

Regardless, its good new for the Pacers, Oladipo, his fantasy owners and NBA fans in general. One of the game's more exciting players will be back in action in just a few short weeks.

Join FanDuel Sportsbook Today. New users get a risk-free bet up to $500. Join Now.

David Kaestle is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, David also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username davekaestle. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.