It’s official — the Cavaliers have signed forward Chuma Okeke, a former NBA Draft lottery pick. The deal is reportedly for the rest of the season, with a team option for next year.
Okeke, the 16th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, spent his rookie season recovering from a torn ACL before signing with the Orlando Magic in 2020.
Over four seasons with Orlando, the 6-foot-7 forward appeared in 189 regular-season games, averaging 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 20.3 minutes per game.
After becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2024, Okeke spent most of the 2024-25 season with the Westchester Knicks in the G League. In 45 games, he averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks while playing 36.5 minutes per game.
Okeke also saw brief NBA action earlier this year, appearing in seven games for the Philadelphia 76ers on two 10-day contracts in February and March.
Known for his defensive prowess on the perimeter, Okeke has made strides as a shooter this season. After struggling offensively in Orlando, where he shot 38.3% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range, Okeke has improved, hitting 36.2% of his three-pointers in the G League and 45.5% in his limited NBA appearances.
The Cavaliers have carried 14 players on standard contracts since the expiration of Nae’Qwan Tomlin‘s 10-day deal last month, meaning no roster cuts were necessary to accommodate the Okeke signing.
Cleveland (62-15) is on the cusp of officially clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Sacramento is in town on Sunday. A win there will do it for the Cavaliers.
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