The Cleveland Cavaliers have been gradually finishing off the tasks on their to-do list for the offseason. The next task is to find a solution for Isaac Okoro, the restricted-free agent. A few weeks ago, it appeared that the Cavs were looking into signing and trading Okoro. That is still not a reality.
As a restricted free agent, Okoro has three options: accept the $11.8 million qualifying offer from Cleveland for the upcoming season, accept an offer sheet from a different team that the Cavs may match, or accept an extension with the Cavs.
What the Cavs have offered Okoro is in the $8–$10 million range each year, which is less than the entire mid-level exception, according to Chris Fedor of cleveland.com, who made this statement on the Wine & Gold Talk Podcast.
Right now, the market has spoken for the Cavaliers. The teams with cap space have applied it to other players. They have taken a different turn… Speaking with folks in the NBA, I get the impression that this is a multi-year contract worth between $8 and $10 million annually. The Cavaliers wouldn’t be comfortable with a deal that amounts to $12 to $15 million per year, which is around the mid-level exception, if Isaac and his representatives are looking for several years at that price.
It will be interesting to observe how Okoro and his representatives manage this offseason. It appears likely that accepting the qualifying offer and placing his bet on himself for the upcoming season would be the best course of action for him. His play from last December to the All-Star break was indicative of a player deserving of the full mid-level exception, and he has demonstrated glimpses of such ability. There’s reason to think Kenny Atkinson’s club, who coaches the offense more than Okoro’s position, may get more out of him in that regard.
At the end of the previous campaign, Okoro averaged 9.4 points, three rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting.490/.391/.679 in 69 games. In the 2020 NBA Draft, Okoro was chosen by the Cavaliers fifth overall.
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