NBA insider Jake Fischer from Yahoo Sports reports that a sign-and-trade deal involving Isaac Okoro between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets may not be feasible. Fischer explains that due to recent shifts in salary structures, Brooklyn might not have the financial room to make such a deal work. He added that taking on Dorian Finney-Smith’s $14 million salary would be challenging for Cleveland under the first apron rules.
The Cavaliers are reportedly interested in Nets forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Cameron Johnson, as Brooklyn is in a rebuilding phase after trading Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks.
As a restricted free agent, Okoro can re-sign with the Cavaliers or sign an offer sheet with another team. If he signs an offer sheet, Cleveland would have 48 hours to match it. Okoro was the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Auburn and has career averages of 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks over 279 games.
Okoro’s qualifying offer is valued at $11.8 million, and if he accepts it, he would become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Last season, Okoro played in 69 games for the Cavaliers, averaging 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks, while shooting 49.0% from the field, 39.1% from three, and 67.9% from the free-throw line.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers have made multiple multi-year offers to Okoro, which they believe are fair and in line with his market value and role within the organization. These offers also provide him with financial security.
The Cavaliers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in five games, while the Nets did not qualify for the postseason.
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