Trade Proposal Sends Wizards’ Marvin Bagley III To Cavaliers

One NBA analyst has proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Marvin Bagley III from the Washington Wizards. 

Matthew Schmidt of SI proposed that the Cavaliers trade Isaac Okoro to the Wizards for Bagley III.

“The Cavaliers could trade Okoro for Bagley, who is on an expiring contract and would not only give Cleveland a solid young talent for the 2024-25 campaign, but provide the team with some financial flexibility next offseason,” Schmidt wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “Bagley fits a clear need for the Cavs: an offensively skilled big man. The former No. 2 overall pick has not exactly panned out like many had hoped, largely due to injuries that have significantly stunted his growth. Bagley played in just 50 games this past season and has not appeared in 60 contests since his rookie year in 2018-19.

“However, he possesses a skillset that the Cavaliers absolutely need and posted some very impressive numbers last season, averaging 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds over 21.1 minutes per game on 58.6/39.1/76.2 shooting splits. … Bagley is a very skilled offensive threat, which was the primary reason why he was so highly touted coming out of Duke. Plus, he is just 25 years old and still has room to grow.”

Bagley III played for the Detroit Pistons and Wizards last season. He averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.7 blocks while shooting 58.6% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 76.2% from the free-throw line. 

Bagley III will make $12.5 million next season in the final year of his contract. He has career averages of 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Sacramento Kings, Pistons and Wizards. 

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. 

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. 

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.