Rollercoaster - that is the one word that can perfectly encapsulate Isaac Okoro’s tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
When he was taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, it was known that Okoro would be a project. While he came into the league with elite defensive acumen, Okoro had some offensive shortcomings that made many question his ability. The Cavs thought that could be worked around, but that process has yielded inconsistent results.
Okoro has increased his three-point percentage every year since he entered the league. He has gone from a 29 percent three-point shooter to 35 percent this year. Still, Okoro barely shoots three attempts per game despite having great looks on a game-by-game basis. This was especially prevalent in the Cavs lopsided playoff loss to the New York Knicks last season, as Cleveland played four-on-five on offense due to Okoro’s deficiencies. He was not respected by the Knicks defense, leading to the Cavaliers' offense stagnating.
While Okoro has been an integral part of the Cavs’ hot streak, the question whether or not he will be a liability again come postseason time still remains. If the Cavs were to trade him, it should be with an eye on postseason success. These two trade proposals give the Cavaliers proven playoff talent while moving on from Okoro.
Trade Scenario No. 1
This is a simple swap that the Cavaliers should do for fit purposes. On the surface, Okoro and O’Neale have similar three-point percentages, but a deeper dive into the numbers game tells a different story. Brooklyn's O’Neale is a much better fit in this new Cavs offense than Okoro with his career reputation as a constant perimeter catch-and-shoot threat.
Additionally, the Cavaliers have repeatedly shown interest in O'Neale since last season. If Cleveland is targeting a 3-and-D wing this trade deadline, O'Neale is an obvious choice and upgrade from their current rotation.
On the season, O’Neale has 22 games with two or more three-pointers. Conversely, Okoro has six such games. O’Neale hits 1.9 three-pointers out of his 5.3 attempts per game. Okoro hits roughly one three per game on just under three attempts. O’Neale shoots 39 percent on catch and shoot threes compared to Okoro’s 36 percent. While Okoro has improved his accuracy, O'Neale is completing a similar percentage on a higher volume.
Both players have one year left on their deals, so the Cavs are not risking much by trading for the veteran O’Neale. O’Neale also has a wealth of playoff experience and is a more consistent shooter than Okoro. Additionally, while he is not as elite as Okoro defensively, he is still solid on that end of the floor.
Lastly for the Cavs, O’Neale became good friends with Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell during their time with the Utah Jazz together, guaranteeing a positive chemistry and another reason for Spida to extend with Cavlaiers. The Nets get a younger wing in Okoro that they can evaluate for the rest of the season to measure his extension possiblities. He is a low-cost target that can quickly fit next to Brooklyn's subpar defensive backcourt rotation.
Trade Scenario No. 2
With Ricky Rubio's retirement and Ty Jerome's prolonged injury, the Cavaliers have an obvious need at the backup point guard spot. Even with Craig Porter Jr.'s surprise reookie season, the Cavs could use a stable veteran presence in the second unit backcourt. Alex Caruso would be a steady hand off the bench.
Caruso has established himself as one of the best defenders in the NBA, capable of guarding multiple positions as both an on-ball and off-ball defender. His physicality also makes life difficult for opponents on any shot. Caruso has also turned himself into a great three-point shooter, currently shooting 42 percent from three-point range this season.
The Chicago Bulls are going nowhere fast and are expected eventually to make drastic moves that would start a much needed rebuild for the franchise. Players like Zach LaVine, Demar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic have been in trade rumors since the offseason, suggesting Chicago could clear house at any point. While Caruso’s name has not been mentioned as much, if the Bulls are going to go on a full scale rebuild, it makes sense to trade him now in exchange for a developing wing.
Caruso is an unrestricted free agent in 2025 and could leave the Bulls with nothing if he walks. This trade with the Cavaliers allows for them to capitalize on some value now, while getting a proven defensive prospect in Okoro. Okoro is also a stout defender and impressive athlete, so the Bulls do not take a step back defensively. In fact, Okoro would give Chicago a steady defensive option for years to come. They also receive some draft compensation with two future second-round picks that they can use in future trades or use to gain cost-efficient rookies in future drafts.
These are the two trades that make the most sense if the Cleveland Cavaliers want to move on from Isaac Okoro this deadline. He has been good so far this season and an important part of the team’s winning streak; however, these two moves would make the Cavs even more lethal in a postseason push.