After hiring Kenny Atkinson as their head coach, drafting Jaylon Tyson, and re-signing Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers have had a relatively quiet offseason. Fans have been eager for new free-agent signings, but Cleveland’s inactivity isn’t due to negligence. Instead, the Cavs have been focused on figuring out their next steps with Isaac Okoro, a restricted free agent.
Just before free agency began, Cleveland extended an $11.8 million qualifying offer to Okoro, making him a restricted free agent. This substantial offer complicates the situation; if Okoro accepts, it would limit the Cavs financially.
Agreeing to a long-term deal with Okoro is also challenging. Despite being the team’s best point-of-attack defender, Okoro’s offensive game has not developed significantly over his NBA career. This inconsistency makes the Cavs hesitant to commit to a long-term investment in him, leaving his future uncertain.
As free agency progresses, another team might step in with an offer for Okoro. Although losing him isn’t ideal, the Cavs might prefer this outcome. Some league sources believe he could be on his way out of Cleveland in a sign-and-trade deal.
For those unfamiliar, a sign-and-trade deal involves one team signing an unrestricted or restricted free agent to a new contract, only to immediately trade him to another team of the player’s choosing. This maneuver allows the player to secure a higher salary and/or a longer contract than what the destination team could directly offer under NBA salary cap rules.
This means that Cleveland cannot simply sign Isaac Okoro to a contract and force him onto another team. The process requires a team interested in signing Okoro for the money he seeks and, crucially, a team that Okoro himself wants to join next season.
Sources indicate that the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and San Antonio Spurs are potential suitors in the Okoro sweepstakes, highlighting possible trade partners for the Cavs.
However, despite the interest from Detroit, Brooklyn, and San Antonio, it doesn’t guarantee that Cleveland will get the best possible return. A more likely scenario involves the Pistons, who still have the cap space to sign Okoro outright, sending draft capital to the Cavs.
Alternatively, if Cleveland prefers players over picks, they could consider acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith from Brooklyn or the recently acquired Harrison Barnes from San Antonio.
While these options might not provide the splashiest return, securing a deal with either the Nets or Spurs would give Cleveland a more reliable two-way wing, despite losing Okoro’s potential. Such tough decisions are necessary for a team like Cleveland, which is aiming to become a title contender. If sacrificing Isaac Okoro leads to a marginal upgrade, the cost might be justified.
