Return To Cavaliers ‘Seems Like The Only Realistic Destination’ For Isaac Okoro

According to NBA analyst Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers “seems like the only realistic destination for Isaac Okoro.”

Okoro is a restricted free agent. 

“Now that the Utah Jazz have used the majority of their remaining cap space to give Lauri Markkanen a raise and extension, a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers seems like the only realistic destination for Isaac Okoro,” Swartz wrote. “No other team can offer Okoro more than the $12.8 million mid-level exception and not go over the first tax apron. A sign-and-trade is possible, although the Cavs should still want to keep Okoro, the team’s best perimeter defender.

“The 23-year-old is a hard worker, strong defender and improved three-point shooter, although teams still don’t respect his outside shot. A whopping 93.5 percent of his three-pointers were attempted when the closest defender was six feet or more away, or defined as “wide open” by NBA.com tracking data.

“Okoro isn’t a starter on a championship-caliber team and doesn’t need to be on this current Cavs roster. Playing as a seventh man in the rotation and serving as defensive specialist looks to be his calling card, one that Cleveland should be wary of overpaying, however.

“The Cavs are currently just $9.6 million away from paying the luxury tax, something they want to avoid before massive raises for Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell kick in next year. A four-year, $35 million contract like the one Caleb Martin just signed with the Philadelphia 76ers might be a good compromise for both sides.”

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.

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

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.