With the tip of July nearing, Lauri Markkanen is the subsequent large domino to fall both by way of a renegotiation and extension with the Utah Jazz or a commerce to a different staff, because the league is seemingly in a holding sample till then. Pelicans ahead Brandon Ingram additionally has been a sizzling subject in commerce chatter as he enters the ultimate 12 months of his contract. Different commerce talks involving the Brooklyn Nets, together with forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson, are additionally value monitoring.
In the meantime, in free company, Cleveland Cavaliers’ restricted free agent Isaac Okoro is the highest participant obtainable in the marketplace in keeping with our HoopsHype rankings. Nonetheless, a choice on his future might come quickly for the 23-year-old wing. Okoro may very well be dealt in a sign-and-trade deal, re-signed by Cleveland to a multi-year contract, or signal his one-year qualifying provide.
Okoro, the No. 5 total choose of the 2020 NBA Draft, has grow to be a notable 3-and-D wing after capturing a career-high 39.1 % to enrich his robust perimeter protection.
Beneath is a have a look at how all three eventualities might play out, the place issues stand now, and what the ultimate determination may very well be.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are believed to have a excessive asking worth for Okoro in sign-and-trade discussions.
A number of groups have expressed curiosity in executing a sign-and-trade with Cleveland for Okoro, which might probably land him above the non-taxpayer mid-level exception yearly, HoopsHype has discovered.
The Nets are among the many groups thought of a sign-and-trade risk for Okoro, although nothing is taken into account imminent with Brooklyn, sources mentioned. As beforehand reported by HoopsHype, Nets ahead Dorian Finney-Smith has drawn commerce curiosity from Cleveland and has come up in discussions for Okoro, sources mentioned. Cleveland can be intrigued by Cam Johnson, in keeping with studies.
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Cleveland has full Hen Rights on Okoro and values his protection and improved 3-point capturing as a complement to the high-scoring backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
Nonetheless, the Cavaliers are near the posh tax threshold coming into the upcoming season – and with Mitchell and Evan Mobley beginning new contract extensions and Jarrett Allen coming into the ultimate 12 months of his contract throughout the 2025-26 season – it’s unclear whether or not the Cavaliers are prepared to enter the posh tax for the 2024-25 season with the staff anticipated to be above the posh threshold beginning in 2025-26.
Assuming Cleveland desires to keep away from the posh tax this upcoming season and Okoro stays, it almost certainly signifies that Caris LeVert or Georges Niang must be traded. LeVert is coming into the ultimate season of his contract value $16.6 million and is a favourite of recent head coach Kenny Atkinson. Niang, who’s owed $16.7 million by means of the subsequent two seasons, is an in depth buddy of Mitchell, which is value noting.
The Cavaliers might additionally signal the 23-year-old wing to a multi-year deal at times use him as a commerce chip throughout the season to stay beneath the posh tax threshold.
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Okoro can resolve to wager on himself and signal his one-year, $11.83 million qualifying provide, which might give him a no-trade clause for the upcoming season and permit him to grow to be an unrestricted free agent in the summertime of 2025.
If Okoro indicators the qualifying provide, Cleveland strikes above the posh tax threshold. The Cavaliers must attempt to commerce Okoro or one other participant to get beneath the edge if that’s Cleveland’s purpose.
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Rival NBA groups imagine the Cavaliers would match a proposal sheet as much as the non-taxpayer mid-level exception vary.
From Cleveland’s perspective, Okoro can earn roughly $10 million yearly from the Cavaliers for some type of monetary safety in a multi-year deal whereas making an attempt to keep away from the posh tax threshold. Cleveland might begin Okoro’s wage beneath $10 million and never must commerce any of their gamers whereas ducking the posh tax.
In the end, Cleveland can commerce Okoro now and get worth in return for him, conform to phrases on a long-term deal, or Okoro can take the qualifying provide and depart subsequent summer season for nothing in return.
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With looming pay raises for Mitchell and Mobley, together with Allen coming into the ultimate 12 months of his contract throughout the 2025-26 season and Darius Garland beneath contract for the subsequent 4 seasons, it’s clear the Cavaliers must make roster adjustments elsewhere to steadiness their wage cap books for the longer term whereas navigating the posh tax.
If Cleveland finally declines the sign-and-trade eventualities, it reveals they nonetheless worth Okoro.
The worst-case situation for Cleveland can be Okoro signing the one-year qualifying provide and leaving for nothing in the summertime of 2025 as a result of he has worth in sign-and-trade eventualities now.
With that in thoughts, count on the Cavaliers to both execute one of many sign-and-trade eventualities involving Okoro or re-sign him.
You possibly can observe Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, previously often known as Twitter.
