NBA Rumors: Cavs, Isaac Okoro, Sixers, Pelicans, Brandon Ingram

Cavaliers

The Lakers are expected to be among the teams that could have an interest in Cavaliers restricted free agent wing Isaac Okoro, as suggested by Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.

The Cavs intend to bring him back, though the outside interest is undoubtedly there. The Magic, Hornets and Wizards are others to keep an eye on, sources told Hoops Wire.

As for the Lakers, Okoro is one of many who very well could be on their radar.

“Okoro would be pricier — a restricted free agent who showed real offensive growth while always possessing the defensive tools teams value,” Woike wrote. “Would Cleveland just match an offer at the tax-payer midlevel? The general sense is that there would at least be conversations, so there’d possibly be a window for a team to land the 23-year-old wing.”

• Meanwhile, despite all the chatter, the Cavaliers are not inclined to break up their core four of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. We have that full story here.
• Cleveland is interviewing up to 10 candidates for its coaching vacancy, though some may be viewed as possibilities for roles as assistants, as we relayed here.
• Four of the candidates being brought in for interviews have already been revealed — with Heat assistant Chris Quinn and Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant being the latest. We have that full story here.
• Finally, which reported candidates deserve a thumbs up, or thumbs down? And who are some intriguing names that may not yet have been mentioned? I discussed it all in the latest Hoops Wire show. Check it out here.

Sixers

The 76ers are aiming to add help this offseason but would like to keep most of their roster intact, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

They do have some financial constraints, though.

“Based on those constraints, a source said Nicolas Batum, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Kyle Lowry are the free agents the team most likely would like to re-sign,” Pompey wrote. “Not only do they mesh well with All-Stars Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, they might not command a lot of money in the free-agent market. The Sixers could have close to $65 million available in free agency. The team also has a first-round pick (No. 16) and a second-rounder (41) in the NBA draft on June 26 and 27, along with future picks to lump into a trade to acquire a player to fit around Maxey and Embiid.”

Retaining Oubre, in particular, appears to be a priority.

“But the Sixers realize Oubre played himself out of a minimum-salary contract. ESPN noted he’s a prime candidate to receive a room mid-level exception for $8 million,” Pompey wrote. “A league source echoed that, saying Oubre would have to slide into a $6 million to $8 million area if the Sixers are able to sign a third max player.”

• The Sixers repeatedly have been linked to Clippers star Paul George, as well as Heat star Jimmy Butler (related post).
• For the record, Butler is extension-eligible this summer. He’ll make $48.8 million next season. 

Pelicans

Count the Pelicans among the teams expected to try to make some moves this offseason, with forward Brandon Ingram expected to be a player they will dangle in trade talks.

“The Pelicans, who won 49 regular-season games last season, are expected to aggressively explore acquiring talent this summer as well,” wrote Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “They control all of their own first-round picks. Additionally, they own the Lakers’ 2025 unprotected first and the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2027 unprotected first. It is possible the Pelicans and Lakers are competing for some of the same players on the trade market this summer, which adds another layer of intrigue to the recent history of two teams that are closely intertwined.”

• New Orleans deferred its 2024 first-round pick to the Lakers as part of the Anthony Davis trade, Clark added. “NBA insiders are watching the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers closely to see if the teams will be willing to part with any of the All-Star guards on their rosters,” he wrote.
• In other words, as Clark added: “It is possible the Pelicans and Lakers are competing for some of the same players on the trade market this summer, which adds another layer of intrigue to the recent history of two teams that are closely intertwined.”
• Ingram is also being linked to the Cavaliers and Magic. One report suggested if the Pelicans were to pursue Cavs point guard Darius Garland, they would dangle Ingram, considering the salaries would match.