Victor Oladipo Writes Open Letter to NBA GMs Amid Comeback Attempt After 2023 Injury

As he continues to chase a comeback to the NBA, veteran guard Victor Oladipo sent a direct message to general managers across the league.

Oladipo penned an open letter to GMs in The Players' Tribune explaining his motivations to return to the NBA for the first time since 2023.

A two-time All-Star, Oladipo's once-promising career took a hit when he suffered a ruptured quad in 2019. The injury plagued him for years, and after eventually returning to the court, he later suffered a torn patellar tendon in the 2023 playoffs. Since then, he's had stints playing overseas and in the G League, but a team has yet to take a chance on adding him to the main roster.

In his open letter, Oladipo addressed his injury recovery, but he revealed that his primary source of motivation is to play in front of his four-year-old daughter, Naomi, whom he affectionately calls Nomi.

"It's this version, right now, that I want Nomi to see," Oladipo wrote. "Me, in this moment of my life, at 34 years old. The version of her dad that got kicked all the way down the mountain, then spent years trying to climb back up, only to get kicked back down, again and again … but never once quit trying to climb. The version of her dad that, let's be real, is probably getting counted out by a lot of people, and is probably getting laughed at by a few of them … but has managed to keep his faith, and keep his purpose.

"The version of her dad that's finally found the perspective, and the humility, to write a letter like this one. To say to any GM who's willing to listen: I believe my body is finally right. I believe I still have GREAT (and more importantly, WINNING) basketball in front of me. I believe I can be a valuable contributor to an NBA locker room. And what I'm asking for right now is an opportunity to prove it."

Oladipo held an open workout for NBA teams in Las Vegas in July. Last month, he teased that he received "some interest" from the Sacramento Kings following the retirement of veteran guard Russell Westbrook, and he added that "the feeling is mutual."

The NBA preseason is right around the corner before the 2026-27 campaign starts next month, so Oladipo could get his shot to prove himself if a team is willing to take a chance on him in the coming weeks.