Cavs: 3 players who must step up with Collin Sexton out for year

Cavs that must step up with Sexton out for the year: #2 – Isaac Okoro

Last year’s fifth overall pick, Isaac Okoro had a ton of offensive hype surrounding him entering the season. Last season, Okoro averaged 16.2 points per game over the team’s final 12 games, showing improved ability as a slasher, on-ball, and was aggressive in his three-point frequency. The pinnacle of this late-season run was a 32-point, 6-assist outing against the Suns as a Darius Garland injury increased his offensive role.

The Jimmy Butler comparisons grew stronger and stronger after these games. Then the Cavaliers lucked into the third overall pick and used it on Evan Mobley, changing the entire trajectory of the franchise, just as the team reportedly believed was the case. The goal became surrounding Mobley with as much playmaking and shooting as possible, which resorted Okoro to a bench role and his sophomore start has not been good on the offensive end.

Okoro is averaging just seven points per game on the season with a putrid 42.1 true shooting percentage. With injuries to key players, Okoro has played a lot of minutes as a shooting guard with minimal offensive success. Since Sexton’s injury, the scoring output has been the same while the efficiency has surprisingly been worse.

So what can the Cavaliers do to improve Okoro’s offensive success, then?

Looking back to what worked for him in his career-game against the Suns, he had solid success in the pick-and-roll, using his speed to blow by guys like Frank Kaminsky and Dario Saric on his way to the rim.

Even out of the PnR, he would still use that speed and combine it with his strength to throw opposing players in the game off their balance and had some nifty finishes, one that included a Euro-step. Against smaller guards, he used his strength to overpower them as he attacked the rim. His ability to get to the rim shined bright in this game as he ended with a career-high nine free throw attempts.

For Okoro to find continued success as a slasher, he’ll need to have maximum spacing and playmaking surrounding him.

Another obvious improvement Okoro must make is his three-point shot. This is key in keeping the defense honest as right now, opponents are leaving him open with no repercussions. Makes will help to increase confidence and aggression, the shots just have to start falling.

It should be said that Okoro hasn’t even played a full NBA season’s worth of games yet so we should be hesitant on any offensive criticism. In a new role as well, let’s give Okoro some time to adjust and hopefully, take that next step.