Although Victor Oladipo showed flashes of his former self during his brief time with the Rockets, Houston general manager Rafael Stone determined he didn't align with the club's long-term vision.
"We had kind of organizationally made a decision that the Victor fit wasn't a good one," Stone told reporters Monday, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "At that point, what do you do?"
Oladipo reportedly rejected a two-year, $45.2-million max contract extension from Houston. With the former No. 2 overall pick set to hit free agency this summer, the Rockets traded Oladipo to the Miami Heat rather than risk losing him for nothing.
Houston acquired veterans Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk as well as a 2022 first-round pick swap from the Heat. Stone sees both players being part of the organization beyond this season.
"One of the advantages of the rebuild is there's a place for veterans, stabilizing influences, helping younger players develop in the right way," Stone said, according to The Athletic's Kelly Iko.
Oladipo was a central part of Houston's haul in the James Harden blockbuster deal. While things didn't work out with the two-time All-Star, Stone is at peace with the decision.
"I would for sure, 100%, do that deal again," Stone said, according to MacMahon. "Again, you guys don't have the advantages of knowing everything I know, but literally no part of me regrets doing that deal. I have not second-guessed it for a moment."
