The Cleveland Cavaliers desperately want to build on an encouraging 2023-24 campaign.
They briefly considered doing so without a critical piece but ultimately decided to keep him on board.
“Restricted free agent forward Isaac Okoro has agreed on a three-year, $38 million deal to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday. “Okoro -- the fifth overall pick in 2020 -- averaged 9.4 points a season ago.”
From an offensive progression standpoint, Okoro hasn’t taken a massive step forward with the Cavaliers. Still, his steady improvement as a three-point shooter has given Cleveland hope for the future.
Okoro began his career as a 29% contributor from downtown but shot close to 40% this past season. He attempted 215 triples and located the bottom of the net at a 39.1% clip.
More importantly, Okoro has solidified himself as a hard-nosed perimeter defender with a tremendous understanding of opponents’ tendencies. For example, if he’s defending Damian Lillard, he’ll stay on the floor until Lillard utilizes his influential punch dribble into a side-step jump shot.
If he has to match up with Jalen Brunson, he’ll wall up in the paint and remain disciplined while Brunson employs numerous shot fakes and pivots. In short, Okoro does his homework ahead of time, making it difficult for the opposition to get into a rhythm.
As long as the former lottery pick continues to make strides offensively and wreak havoc on the other end, he’ll maintain a spot in the Cavaliers’ rotation.
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