Report: Cavaliers lock in defensive anchor Isaac Okoro for 3 years

The Cavaliers and fifth-year wing Isaac Okoro agreed to a three-year, $38 million contract, ESPN reported Saturday afternoon.

Okoro, the subject of some trade chatter this summer, was the last restricted free agent on the market, and his signing “caps a busy and productive summer for the Cavaliers,” ESPN.com’s Tim Bontemps wrote.

Okoro is a likable, hard-working player who is considered one of the team’s top defenders. The athletic 6-foot-5 wing often draws the toughest defensive assignments. The Cavaliers selected the Atlanta native with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

While Okoro’s spot 3-point shooting has been the subject of much scrutiny, it’s worth noting that his 3-point percentage has improved in each of his four seasons in the NBA. During the 2023-2024 season, Okoro made 39.1% of his 3-point shots – a career high – and averaged 9.4 points a game, starting in 42 of the 69 games he played.

Okoro averaged 27.3 minutes of game action last season. While the Auburn alum started in every game that he played during his rookie campaign, Okoro’s role has evolved into a key bench player who can slot in as a spot starter when necessary. If he can continue to improve his 3-point shooting, Okoro could blossom into an upper-tier 3-and-D player with decent trade value if the Cavs ever decide to entertain offers.