Isaac Okoro is coming off another solid season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The former Auburn star finished the year averaging 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three-point range in 69 games.
During the offseason, Okoro became a restricted free agent.
As of September 11, he still has not signed.
Okoro was the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft and has proven to be a productive player who only seems to be getting better at age 23.
Article: Report on the future of Cleveland Cavaliers restricted free agent Isaac Okoro, who has drawn interest from multiple teams for a contract and trade while remaining in negotiations with Cleveland, league sources said @hoopshype. https://t.co/4Tio6PlVXX
-Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 28, 2024
With Okoro restricted, the Cavs have much more leverage in negotiations.
That said, they probably don’t want the situation to drag on beyond training camp either.
Okoro could accept the one-year qualifying offer and then become an unrestricted free agent next season.
By Evan Dammarell of ClutchPoints on August 12: “It appears that, for now, all options for Okoro in restricted free agency have been exhausted. With that in mind, league sources tell ClutchPoints that Okoro will accept Cleveland’s $11.8 million qualifying offer. From there, Okoro is more or less betting on himself next season, which could be his last with the Cavs.”
The training camp will take place to start around the NBA on October 1st.
The Cavs will play their first preseason game on October 8 when they host the Chicago Bulls.
They will begin the regular season on October 23 by visiting the Toronto Raptors in Canada.