Report: Isaac Okoro Expected To Sign Qualifying Offer With Cavaliers

According to NBA reporter Evan Dammarell of ClutchPoints, Isaac Okoro is expected to sign his qualifying offer with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Okoro’s qualifying offer is worth $11.8 million. He would become an unrestricted free agent next offseason if he signed his qualifying offer.

“It appears that, for now, all options for Okoro in restricted free agency have been exhausted,” Dammarell reported. “With that in mind, sources across the league have expressed to ClutchPoints that Okoro will pick up his $11.8 million qualifying offer from Cleveland. From there, Okoro is more or less betting on himself next season, which could be his last with the Cavs.”

As a restricted free agent, Okoro can either re-sign with the Cavaliers or sign an offer sheet with another team.

Cleveland would have 48 hours to match an offer sheet for Okoro, who drew interest from the Brooklyn Nets before talks with the Cavaliers fizzled.

The Cavaliers drafted Okoro with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Auburn. He has career averages of 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks in 279 games. 

Okoro appeared in 69 games for the Cavaliers this past season. He averaged 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% from beyond the arc and 67.9% from the free-throw line. 

The Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in five games. J.B. Bickerstaff was fired as head coach and replaced by Kenny Atkinson, who signed a five-year deal. 

Cleveland hasn’t haven’t made any moves in free agency or trades this offseason. The only new player on the roster is rookie Jaylon Tyson, the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. 

Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley signed extensions with the Cavaliers and all trade offers for Darius Garland were rebuffed, sources told Hoops Wire.