CLEVELAND, Ohio — The final piece of the Cavs’ offseason puzzle has been set.
Following months of discussions, the Cavaliers have agreed to a three-year, $38 million deal with restricted free agent Isaac Okoro, with $33 million guaranteed, according to sources at yhulie.com.ng.
During the season-ending press conference, Koby Altman, the team’s president of basketball operations, emphasized that the focus would be on internal development rather than external acquisitions.
“We believe we have a lot of talent already on our roster,” Altman said. “Our players trust one another, believe in the organization, and feel they are on the verge of something special.”
This summer, the Cavs have secured three of their core players: Jarrett Allen (three years, $91 million), Evan Mobley (five years, $224 million), and Donovan Mitchell (three years, $150 million).
Earlier, the team had extended an $11.8 million qualifying offer to Okoro, but the 23-year-old seemed eager to solidify his role and future with the franchise.
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After re-signing key players, the next step for the Cavs was to ensure they had trusted, dependable pieces surrounding their core for the upcoming season and beyond.
Mitchell and Okoro, who have developed a close bond over the last two years, have worked out together this offseason and had neighboring lockers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse last season.
As the offseason wore on, the Cavs realized that Okoro might be the best defensive option available with the potential for offensive growth.
In his fourth year, Okoro hit a career-best 39.1% from beyond the arc, consistently improving his game. Now, the Cavs are counting on him to take his offensive skills to the next level during the playoffs.
The No. 5 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft now secures his place with the team he has grown with, as the Cavs, fresh off their first trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals since 2018, aim for even deeper playoff success in the future.