Rival Teams Believe Cavs Would Match Isaac Okoro Offer Up To Mid-Level Exception

Rival teams believe the Cleveland Cavaliers would match an offer for Isaac Okoro up to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, per NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Okoro, 23, remains the only restricted free agent on the market in the entire NBA. The Cavs and Okoro have discussed a new contract, per Scotto and mutliple other reports and sources. The sides are believed to be close, but it appears nothing is imminent. The Okoro situation could drag on to late September.

Per Scotto, the Cavs have discussed sign-and-trade scenarios with the Brooklyn Nets. Names such as Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith and Cameron Johnson have been linked to the Cavs. Others said to have interest in an Okoro sign-and-trade include the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz.

Former Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff is now coach of the Pistons and is believed to be high on Okoro. Bickerstaff has endorsed Okoro to Detroit’s front office, sources told Hoops Wire.

Okoro’s qualifying offer is for $11.8 million. He appeared in 69 games for the Cavaliers last season, averaging 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 49.0% from the field, 39.1% on 3-pointers. 

As a restricted free agent, Okoro can either re-sign with the Cavs or sign an offer sheet with another team. Cleveland would have 48 hours to match an offer sheet for Okoro.

The Cavaliers drafted Okoro with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Auburn. He has compiled career averages of 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks in 279 games. 

“The Cleveland Cavaliers are believed to have a high asking price for Okoro in sign-and-trade discussions,” Scotto wrote. “Several teams have expressed interest in executing a sign-and-trade with Cleveland for Okoro, which could potentially land him above the non-taxpayer mid-level exception annually, HoopsHype has learned.”

(Ashish Mathur contributed to this report.)