NBA: Ranking every team’s best player in 2019-20

If we were projecting this list out to the end of the season, it’s almost certain that Victor Oladipo would be ranked further up than 24th. When healthy, he is a dynamic guard who can score against varied defenders and is scared of no one. Since another injury will cause him to miss the start of the regular season, he slides down due to availability.

That’s the only reason to slide him down, as Oladipo is otherwise at the height of his powers. In 111 games with the Indiana Pacers over two seasons he is averaging 21.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Only nine other players have hit those numbers over the same time span.

While injuries plagued him last season, in 2017-18 he was not only one of the league’s best guards but nearly led the Pacers to a victory over LeBron James in the playoffs.

Oladipo brings it on defense as well, with elite steal numbers (he led the league in steal percentage and steals per game in 2017-18) and solid fundamentals. Among shooting guards, he ranked second in ESPN Real Plus-Minus two seasons ago and third last year. If he comes back healthy he will be in contention for the best guard in the Eastern Conference once again.

Looking Ahead: The Indiana Pacers have a handful of talented players all just short of stardom. Malcolm Brogdon is the team’s highest-paid player, but is not quite at the level to expect a leap to top option. Myles Turner has elite two-way potential, but there are weaknesses in his game that would likely hold him back.

Oladipo is this team’s star and leader, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.