NBA Rumors: Cavs, Isaac Okoro, Hawks, Trae Young, Knicks, Mikal Bridges

Cavaliers

While the rumor mill is buzzing, the Cavaliers’ are likely to keep their core together unloess they get an offer that sweeps them off their feet, one opposing scout told Hoops Wire.

“I can’t see them just throwing away a (64-18) season,” the scout said. “It was their first year under (Kenny Atkinson). De’Andre Hunter was newer, too. There are ways they can add help without blowing it up.”

• The scout went on to predict that if the Cavaliers do make a deal, Isaac Okoro would be their most logical candidate, suggesting Jaylon Tyson could take over Okoro’s minutes “and bring some toughness.”
• Others around the NBA have told Hoops Wire they don’t yet have a feel on whether unfrestricted free agents Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill will return. “What happens with those two will obviously play a big role in how the Cavs go about the rest of the offseason,” the opposing scout said.

Hawks

What the Hawks decide to do with Trae Young‘s extension this offseason could give you a good idea about their future, per Bobby Marks of ESPN.

Young is eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension next month.

“Without an extension, Young could become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason if the player option is declined,” Marks wrote. “Another factor to consider is the limited trade partners available if Atlanta were to make Young available. The only teams with significant vacancies in their backcourt are Brooklyn and Sacramento.”

• One league source told Hoops Wire not to be surprised if the Hawks get involved in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. While they have yet to hire a president of basketball operations, team ownership has already inquired internally about Durant, sources said.

Knicks

Mikal Bridges is another offseason extension candidate and Marks suggested what the Knicks do about it … well, remains a mystery.

Bridges averaged a career-high 37 minutes this season and hasn’t missed a single game since entering the NBA in 2018.

“Jalen Brunson‘s team-friendly extension signed last summer paves the way for Bridges to receive a new contract and for New York to retain its financial flexibility,” Marks wrote. “The Knicks will be a projected $30 million below the second apron in 2026-27 if the Bridges extension starts at $34 million.”

• With that in mind, a Bridges extension is doable, and perhaps even likely. “The question will come down to whether the Knicks are willing to offer their fourth-best player an average salary of nearly $40 million over the next four seasons,” Marks wrote. “If they are, it is hard to see Bridges turning down a $10 million pay increase next season and over $150 million in guaranteed money.”