Report: Isaac Okoro could be moved in sign-and-trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers are seemingly set to keep their top players on the roster for the 2024-25 season, but they could lose a key reserve in wing Isaac Okoro.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks, a former NBA executive, recently spoke about what the future could hold for Okoro.

“Cleveland’s got Isaac Okoro, who’s a restricted free agent,” Marks said. “Look at maybe sign and trade options for him. Maybe a bigger wing…I don’t want to give away the beans here, so keep an eye on Cleveland as far as Isaac Okoro here. … [The Cavs] are about $9.5 million below the luxury tax. So if you do a sign-and-trade with Okoro, you got to be careful as far as what money is coming back.”

Okoro is currently a restricted free agent, having just finished his fourth season in the league (all with the Cavs). Last season, he averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game on 39.1 percent shooting from 3-point range. He also provided solid defense for Cleveland.

Though Okoro has struggled at times throughout his career and seemingly not lived up to the expectations that came with being the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, he has become a solid 3-and-D player.

Plenty of teams across the league would be able to use him, but his market doesn’t seem to be all that hot at the moment. Perhaps he ends up back in Cleveland, but only time will tell.

What might the Cavs want in a deal?

Oct 2, 2023; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman talks to the media during media day at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

In terms of what the Cavs might want in a deal for Okoro, they could certainly use some cheap talent off the bench or maybe some draft capital. Should Cleveland get a draft pick or two for Okoro, it could then use it in a future deal for a big-name player.

That might be thinking a little too far ahead, and the Cavs are likely more focused on the present. They just hired Kenny Atkinson to replace J.B. Bickerstaff and were able to come to terms on a extension with star Donovan Mitchell after months of rumors flying around regarding his future.

Cleveland took a step forward by making it to the second round of the playoffs last season after losing in the first round in the previous campaign.

Okoro might be hoping that he’s around to see any future improvement from the Cavs, but only time will tell what the future holds for him.