The Cleveland Cavaliers may try to dangle Cavs forward Isaac Okoro’s name on the trade market, according to NBACentral and Hoops Wire Senior NBA Writer Sam Amico.
“As for potential trade chips, rival executives have told Hoops Wire they expect the Cavs to see what they can get in exchange for a package centered on small forward Isaac Okoro,” Amico wrote in a Wednesday article. “While the Cavs like Okoro’s energy, work ethic and defense, he has yet to be a strong fit alongside the other youngsters. This despite repeated opportunities.
“It’s as if the Cavs have spent a lot of time forcing it with Okoro, giving him more of a chance than may have been afforded other players. No one has said that. It just appears that way sometimes.”
Isaac Okoro, a former 1st-round pick out of Auburn in the 2020 NBA Draft, finished the 2022-23 season with 6.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in 76 games and 46 starts. The 22-year-old forward started in two games for the Cavaliers during the team’s series against the New York Knicks in the NBA Playoffs. He still found a way to be a valuable part of the Cavs’ rotation even as he was benched in favor of guard Caris LeVert, scoring 10 points, dishing two assists and grabbing two steals in just under 20 minutes played in Game 5.
An ideal reality for the Cavs to contend would include the emergence of Isaac Okoro, Yahoo! Sports Senior Writer Jake Fischer wrote in a January article.
“In a perfect world, Isaac Okoro, the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, would emerge as the Cavaliers’ homegrown solution on the perimeter,” Fischer wrote. “Knicks officials were bracing for Cleveland to select Obi Toppin fifth in that draft, sources said, before the Cavs surprised several rivals by choosing Okoro out of Auburn.
“He flashed promise in the preseason, knocking down 42.9% of his triples in exhibition play, but is connecting on a career-worst 26% of his 3-pointers this year, even opening the season 0-of-12 from beyond the arc.”
Okoro ended the season with a 36.3% clip from the 3-point line, according to Basketball Reference.