The Cleveland Cavaliers and restricted free agent Isaac Okoro agreed to a three-year $38 million dollar extension earlier today.
Restricted free agent F Isaac Okoro has agreed on a three-year, $38 million deal to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Michael Tellem, Jeff Schwartz and Marcus Monk of @excelbasketball tell ESPN. Okoro — the fifth overall pick in 2020 — averaged 9.4 points a season ago. pic.twitter.com/dFInx3QoMS
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 14, 2024
Okoro, 23, was the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Okoro was the last restricted free agent from the 2020 NBA Draft, and this signing comes just two weeks before the start of NBA training camp. This is another extension for the Cavaliers this summer, as they brought back key pieces Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley. With a new head coach, Kenny Atkinson, replacing J.B. Bickerstaff, the newly coached Cavaliers now have signed all of the key pieces from last year's Eastern Conference Semi-Final run.
Okoro, who is a lengthy F at six feet and five inches, averaged 9.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 1.9 APG on 49% shooting from the field and 39.1% shooting from three. Okoro played 69 games last season and started 42 of those 69 games. With a 10% jump in three-point percentage since his rookie season and the stellar defense that he provides, it is clear that he is a vital part of this Cavaliers team.
The young guard looks to continue to grow his game this season as he will provide a pivotal role off the bench. As he will play behind star Donovan Mitchell and Max Strust, he will provide great perimeter defense off the bench, which the Cavaliers desperately need. The Cavaliers will look to build off of their most successful season since 2018, and keeping Okoro in Cleveland will help the team's efforts significantly, especially on the defensive end.