Isaac Okoro‘s contract extension with the Cavaliers is now official, according to the NBA transactions log. Not that it was ever really in doubt, given that it was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
As we relayed earlier, Okoro’s deal was the final dose of breaking news from Wojnarowski before the NBA insider announced his retirement.
Okoro’s deal is for three years and $38 million, Woj reported, with all but $5 million of it guaranteed, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Okoro was the last restricted free agent remaining on the market this offseason.
Before reaching a deal with the Cavaliers, the Nets and Hornets were among the teams that expressed interest in an Okoro sign-and-trade, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The Pistons also at least explored the idea as well, sources told Hoops Wire. The Pistons hired former Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff this offseason.
Okoro joins a reserve cast of wings that also includes Caris LeVert, Sam Merrill, rookie Jaylon Tyson and even big man Dean Wade, who plays more of a small forward role.
Okoro 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, shooting 49.0% from the field, 39.1% on 3-pointers and 67.9% from the free-throw line.
He was selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Auburn and carries career averages of 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks in 279 games.
The Cavaliers remain one of just three teams to have not signed an outside free agent to a standard contract, clearly content with trying to run it back. For now, that’s probably not a bad idea, given the limited free agent market and avoiding luxury tax concerns.
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