Cavs, Isaac Okoro Still Seemingly At Guessing Stage On What’s Next

Bottom line? We’re less than a month away from training camp and there’s still no solution with the Cavaliers and Isaac Okoro.

Granted, there’s no reason to panic or think that the Cavs will lose Okoro for nothing. But there is plenty to consider here.

For starters, Okoro is a restricted free agent — the only one left in the entire NBA. He has not received an offer from another team. Nor have the Cavs gotten anywhere in calls from opposing teams on sign-and-trade arrangements. Sources say the Detroit Pistons and former Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff have an interest,

Okoro hasn’t officially yet picked up his qualifying offer, which would pay him for the rest of the season and make him an unrestricted free agent next summer. That seems like the most likely scenario.

So, if we had to guess, it’s that Okoro will be back with the Cavs without a new contract.

Adding to the intrigue of Okoro’s future with the franchise is the fact the Cavs drafted combo guard Jaylon Tyson with their first-round pick (No. 20 overall). Tyson’s strong play at the Las Vegas Summer League has given the front office and new coach Kenny Atkinson something to think about. Namely, is this young man already ready to be a part of the regular rotation? And if so, where does that leave Okoro (or perhaps Caris LeVert)?

Now, the Cavs like and admire Okoro. They value what he brings to the team, his effort, his defense, and the way he finishes at the rim. He is a team player through and through. Okoro just fits.

But this is professional basketball and money and contracts are things that always need to be considered. With three weeks to go before camp, the Cavs and Okoro appear as if they’re at a standstill. How it’s resolved, still, is anyone’s guess.