SEPTEMBER 17: Okoro’s new deal is official, the Cavaliers confirmed today in a press release.
SEPTEMBER 14: The Cavaliers are re-signing restricted free agent Isaac Okoro to a three-year, $38MM contract, agents Michael Tellem, Jeff Schwartz and Marcus Monk tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Okoro, 23, came in at No. 20 on our list of 2024’s top 50 free agents, making him the top remaining player who had yet to sign a new deal. It took more than two months, but the NBA’s lone restricted free agent has reached an agreement to return to Cleveland.
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets, Okoro’s $11.8MM qualifying offer would have expired on Oct. 1, though he still would’ve been a restricted free agent had a deal not been reached by that point. The Cavs were approximately $10.4MM below the luxury tax line before accounting for Okoro’s new contract, Marks adds.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter link), Okoro’s three-year deal features $33MM in guaranteed money. Sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that Okoro’s contract features some unlikely bonuses tied to his team’s success (Twitter link).
The No. 5 overall pick of the 2020 draft, Okoro averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting a career-best 39.1% from three-point range in 69 regular season games in 2023/24, including 42 starts (27.3 minutes per contest). The 6’5″ wing is primarily known for his defense, particularly on the ball, where he’s frequently tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player.
When we polled our readers about Okoro’s situation last week, 59% of those who voted thought he would end up accepting his qualifying offer — essentially just a one-year contract — to hit unrestricted free agency in 2025. About 17% thought he would re-sign with the Cavs on a multiyear contract.
Scotto reports (via Twitter) that the Nets and Hornets were among the teams that showed sign-and-trade interest in Okoro before he agreed to a new contract with Cleveland.
Once Okoro’s signing is official, the Cavs will have 14 players on standard contracts, though only 11 of those deals are fully guaranteed. Tristan Thompson and Sam Merrill are on non-guaranteed contracts, while Craig Porter Jr. has a $1MM partial guarantee on his $1.89MM salary. All three of the team’s two-way slots are filled.
Overpay tbh for a lockdown defender with no offensive game, him and thybulle likely won’t stick around past their current contracts unless their 3point% goes up
He just shot 39% from three last season. Did you miss that part?
He must have missed that and it’s not like it was a fluke. Okoro shot a respectable .363 the season prior.
Nobody missed that part. He only shoots three per game. So that percentage equates to perhaps 3, sometimes 6 points per game. We’ll make it 5 points per game from distance to err on the positive side.
So Okoro’s wonderful three-point shooting equates to 5 Points a game whereas if he had an offense of any kind you’d expect more than another 5 points per game from EVERYTHING ELSE because his average is only around 9 ppg TOTAL.
His solo dribble drive layups, post position dunks, put backs, mid-range, and fast break hoops, all equate to 5 OTHER points per game?
He has ZERO OFFENSIVE ABILITY to speak of. He better start taking more threes unless he’s afraid to because he’s not a good three-point shooter, except for perhaps two or three per game when he’s absolutely wide open.
A 39% 3 pt shooter averaging 3 shots per game has an expected score from 3 pointers of 1.1 pts per game. You are giving him way too much credit for his 3 pt shooting.
Actually 1.17 three-pointers (not points) per game, hence 3.5 pts per game. The argument still applies though.
You are correct, sir!
He’s not there for offense. They’ve got Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, Allen and LeVert for that. He’s there to shut guys down on defense. On offense he keeps the ball moving, hits open threes, doesn’t force shots and doesn’t turn it over. Kentavious Caldwell Pope makes $20 million+ to fill the same role and he takes 4 threes per game.
You’re right on Chuck but I’m with you on hitting the open threes and NOT with the fellow above who asked if we missed that he made almost 40% on his threes like he’s a amazing shooter or something.
No we didn’t miss that he’s NOT an amazing shooter. He’ll hit the open three, maybe one or two… PER GAME.
I’m With You Chuck.., every good team needs guys like that.. at least one or two. Draymond Green says hello and so does Gary Payton 11. Not scorers but lock down defenders.
To pick just one example disproving your point, Andre Roberson signed a deal seven years ago for 3/30 when he was about a 25% career shooter from three. If you’re an SGA fan then I’m sure you remember him lol
Okoro isn’t a great offensive player overall but he shot 39% from three last year and has continued improving his outside shot to the point where he’s a solid rotation guy at the very least when you factor in his defense. Okoro for 3/39 seven years later probably isn’t a steal, but it’s hardly an overpay.
Back when the NBA was okay and the money they got paid made sense
If this is what they agreed upon, I’d be scared to guess what he was asking for in July that no other team was interested in either a sign and trade or offer sheet.
A rare smart move for both player and team here. Okoro gets paid and a multiple year deal. Cleveland gets a fine trade asset for when blow up time comes.
Too afraid to trade for Ingram so they stuck with Okoro. No improvement in the roster. Still mid and not better than celtics, knicks, sixers, bucks, pacers…
How did the Bucks make your list here?
Bucks will have a full season of everyone healthy. Once acclimated fully they will be fine. Dame knows he can’t have another down year especially now that he’s on a better team. Never said bucks are top 3 but they are in the mix.
I haven’t looked it up but the Bucks have to be the oldest team in the league. Not sure that being extra determined equates to being extra healthy.
Okoro has to step up. Time to show.
Cavs are gambling here. Okoro starts to show. Then they got a deal. Cavs bee him to play well.
It’s better than letting him just take the QO, because that gives him trade veto rights for this season. Which means they’d effectively lose him for nothing.
He’s better than Thybulle at the same price.
Good move to bring him back (without inflows, no reason for outflows). But I thought the Q/O (or less than a 3 year commitment) would have worked better for both sides. I think this spot in the rotation has to be upgraded, but this suggests they still think that might not be needed.