In late August, the Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t taken any major steps concerning restricted free agent Isaac Okoro. Okoro, as a restricted free agent, is eligible to receive offers from other teams, with the Cavs having the choice to match them. However, no other team has displayed significant interest in the 23-year-old forward, causing uncertainty about his future with the Cavaliers.
Cavs Playing the Waiting Game
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst provided insight into the situation by explaining that the Cavaliers have been adopting a cautious approach with Okoro. “I believe there has only been a small amount of communication going back and forth,” Windhorst stated on The Hoop Collective. He observed that Cleveland acknowledges that the majority of teams have already used up their funds. Okoro has the option to take his $11.8 million qualifying offer and have faith in his abilities for the upcoming season, in anticipation of a better performance that may result in a more profitable contract in the future.
Okoro’s Performance Raises Questions
Okoro’s lackluster market is partially due to his inconsistent showing in the previous season. Throughout the regular season, his stats included 9.4 points and three rebounds per game, along with strong shooting percentages (49.0/39.1/67.9). Nonetheless, he struggled in the playoffs, averaging only 5.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, along with a worrying true-shooting percentage of 44.6%. Teams may have been reluctant to offer him a substantial contract due to his difficulties in the playoffs.
Okoro’s Future Unclear
As the training camp nears, the Cavaliers might be holding off to see if Okoro agrees to their qualifying offer or if other options become available. Currently, it appears that the swingman will have to demonstrate his worth during the upcoming season. Okoro’s future is still unclear, regardless of whether he remains in Cleveland or decides to go elsewhere, and his next moves will probably be based on how well he performs in the coming year.
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