May 7, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) grimaces after missing a shot against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter of game one of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
The Cavaliers have confirmed that only Jazz is able to submit an offer in response to their “Intense Proposal” for their star player Isaac Okoro.
The only teams capable of making a “meaningful offer” to Cleveland Cavaliers wing Isaac Okoro are the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz, according to NBA analyst Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report.
Okoro is a free agent with restrictions.
“Although Okoro is only 23 years old and coming off a season in which he shot 39.1 percent from deep, he has never been tasked with a significant scoring role,” Bailey wrote. “That, along with a 6’9” wingspan and consecutive seasons with an above-average defensive estimated plus-minus, make it difficult not to be intrigued by his three-and-d potential.
However, for some reason, the Cavaliers do not seem to be convinced by those factors that Okoro could return. With the offseason having lasted more than a month, the restricted free agent is unsigned, and the only teams with the cap room to seriously consider an offer for him are the Pistons and Jazz.
Okoro has two options as a restricted free agent: he can accept an offer sheet from another team or re-sign with the Cavaliers.
Cleveland would be given 48 hours to match Okoro’s offer sheet.
Okoro, an Auburn graduate, was selected by the Cavaliers with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Throughout 279 games, he has averaged 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks.
The qualifying offer for Okoro is valued at $11.8 million. If he accepted the Cavaliers’ qualifying offer, he would become an unrestricted free agent the following offseason.
Okoro played for the Cavaliers in 69 games during the previous campaign. On average, he scored 9.4.score, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 49.0% field goal, 39.1% three-point range, and 67.9% free-throw shooting.
NBA reporter Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com claims that the Cavaliers have extended several offers to Okoro, “what they deem fair.”
“Reliable sources claim that the Cavs have already extended several reasonable, multi-year offers to Okoro that are commensurate with his market value and organizational standing,” Fedor wrote. “He has financial security because of those possible deals as well.”
