Trade Proposal Sends Jordan Clarkson To Cavaliers, Isaac Okoro To Jazz

One NBA analyst proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz execute a sign-and-trade deal. 

Matthew Schmidt of SI proposed that the Cavaliers sign and trade Isaac Okoro to the Jazz for Jordan Clarkson.

“But fortunately, there is still time for the Cavs to make some moves, and they do still have a potential sign-and-trade featuring Isaac Okoro on the table,” Schmidt wrote. “That’s why the Cavaliers should strongly consider trading Okoro to the Jazz in exchange for old friend Jordan Clarkson. The Jazz were one of the few teams said to express interest in Okoro, who has generated very little buzz as a restricted free agent. They would surely love to exchange Clarkson for a younger player, so this package may intrigue them.

“Meanwhile, Cleveland would add a much-needed scorer off the bench to spell Donovan Mitchell or Darius Garland for stretches.”

Clarkson will make $14.3 million next season in the final year of his contract. He averaged 17.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.1 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 41.3% from the field, 29.4% from beyond the arc and 88.1% from the free-throw line in 55 games. 

Clarkson has career averages of 16.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.1 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers, Cavaliers and Jazz. He won the 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year Award with Utah. 

Okoro appeared in 69 games for the Cavaliers in 2023-24. 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. 

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.