3 reasons Isaac Okoro should start at shooting guard

3 reasons Isaac Okoro should start at SG: Still young

Isaac Okoro is 21 years old and will play 3 months of next season before turning 22 in late January. In other words, he is still extremely young. By way of comparison, rookie Ochai Agbaji is 9 months older than Okoro.

There is still a lot of room for Okoro to grow, especially on the offensive end of the court. He took a big leap as a shooter from his rookie season to last year, increasing his 3-point percentage from 29 percent to 35 percent. He also improved his efficiency from inside the arc, taking advantage of cuts through a defense focused on Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen, and even shot much better from the free-throw line.

If that trajectory continues, and Okoro becomes a 37 or 38 percent shooter from outside, suddenly he isn’t as much of a liability on offense. If that improved percentage brings with it increased confidence and a willingness to shoot when he is open, then he will turn from hindering the Cavs’ offensive attack to helping it. The Cavs need a 3-and-D wing. That could be Ochai Agbaji, but it could also be Isaac Okoro, and theoretically, the two of them could thrive together between higher-usage stars in Garland and Evan Mobley.

Isaac Okoro has some big strengths and some big weaknesses, but it’s way too early to give up on his development. A number of players have improved into rotation players under this coaching staff, and Okoro has a lot to offer. He has proven to be a strong fit with the current starters, he brings it on the defensive end, and he’s young enough to continue growing. He should be the Cavs’ pick to start at shooting guard in the 2022-23 NBA season.