Cleveland Cavaliers Secure Isaac Okoro with New $38M Deal

The Cleveland Cavaliers have secured a key piece of their roster by agreeing to a three-year, $38 million contract with restricted free agent forward Isaac Okoro. The deal was finalized on Saturday, as confirmed by agents Michael Tellem, Jeff Schwartz, and Marcus Monk to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Okoro, 23, was the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and was the last restricted free agent remaining on the market this offseason.

His signing comes at a crucial time, just over two weeks before the start of training camp, and adds to what has been a busy and productive summer for the Cavaliers. Cleveland has worked diligently to solidify their roster for the upcoming season. In addition to Okoro’s new deal, the Cavs locked in superstar guard Donovan Mitchell with a three-year, $150 million contract, extended young cornerstone forward Evan Mobley for five years at $224 million, and re-signed center Jarrett Allen to a three-year, $91 million deal. These signings underscore Cleveland’s commitment to building a competitive team for the long term.

The team also made a significant coaching change, hiring Kenny Atkinson away from the Golden State Warriors to replace former head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Atkinson is known for his developmental work with young players, making him a strong fit for a Cavaliers team focused on future success.

Isaac Okoro, a 6-foot-5 forward, played 69 games last season, starting 42 of them. He averaged 9.4 points per game and shot a career-best 39.1% from beyond the arc, taking more than three attempts per game. While Okoro may not be the primary offensive option, his role as a defender is critical. Known for his defensive versatility, Okoro will continue to be a key perimeter defender coming off the bench, playing behind Donovan Mitchell and Max Strus on the wing.

With Okoro re-signed, Cleveland is poised to build upon their recent success, having won a combined 99 games over the past two seasons. They also reached the second round of the playoffs last season for the first time since 2018, and they’ll be aiming to go further this season—without LeBron James on the roster for the first time since 1993.

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to shape their roster for long-term success, securing key players and making strategic moves ahead of the upcoming season. The team recently signed restricted free agent forward Isaac Okoro to a three-year, $38 million contract. Okoro, 23, was the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and has been a key contributor for the Cavaliers, both as a defender and a role player on offense.

This signing caps an eventful summer for Cleveland. Earlier, the Cavaliers locked in superstar guard Donovan Mitchell with a three-year, $150 million contract extension, signaling their commitment to building around him. The team also secured young forward Evan Mobley, one of their rising stars, with a five-year, $224 million extension. Center Jarrett Allen, another critical piece of their core, re-upped for three more years at $91 million.

In addition to these player signings, the Cavaliers made a major change on the coaching front. They hired Kenny Atkinson, known for his work developing young talent with the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors, to replace J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach. Atkinson’s reputation for improving players and fostering a winning culture aligns well with Cleveland’s current roster and future goals.

Okoro, a 6-foot-5 forward, averaged 9.4 points per game last season while shooting a career-high 39.1% from three-point range on over three attempts per game. He played 69 games, starting 42 of them, and has become known as one of Cleveland’s best perimeter defenders. In the upcoming season, Okoro is expected to play a key role off the bench, backing up Donovan Mitchell and Max Strus on the wing while continuing to provide solid defense and improved shooting.

The Cavaliers have seen steady progress over the last two seasons, winning a combined 99 games. They also reached the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2018, and more significantly, for the first time without LeBron James on the roster since 1993. With their core players locked in and a new head coach at the helm, Cleveland is poised to build on this success and compete for a deeper playoff run in the seasons to come.