Report: Isaac Okoro makes big change regarding NBA career ahead of pivotal offseason

Heading into a pivotal offseason regarding his future, Cleveland Cavaliers wing Isaac Okoro has changed his representation.

Okoro just completed his fourth NBA season — all with the Cavs — and the 23-year-old is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason. The Cavaliers reportedly intend to retain him despite multiple Eastern Conference teams possibly having interest in luring him away.

The No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Auburn University, Okoro has built his reputation around the league as an excellent defensive player whose offensive game has room for improvement.

During the 2023-24 regular season, he averaged 9.4 points per game while making 49.0 percent of his field-goal attempts. He also shot a career-high 39.1 percent from 3-point range, perhaps increasing his market value as a 3-and-D wing player.

The Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards are some teams that reportedly could be interested in Okoro.

How to handle Okoro is just one of many significant decisions the Cavaliers are facing this offseason. The organization still needs to secure a new head coach to replace J.B. Bickerstaff, who was fired after the Cavs were eliminated in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs by the eventual champion Boston Celtics. James Borrego and Kenny Atkinson seem like the top two candidates, with a decision on a hire possibly coming soon.

The Cavs also may hear from as many as eight teams who might be interested in acquiring Darius Garland in a trade if he is made available.

But perhaps the biggest issue facing the Cavs remains the long-term future of superstar Donovan Mitchell. Though optimism has been growing that the 27-year-old will ultimately sign a long-term contract extension to stay in Cleveland, questions remain about his desire to do so. Former Miami Heat player and current Heat executive Udonis Haslem said he thinks Mitchell “might really want to get out of Cleveland.”

Whether Okoro also wants to look for a new basketball home — or if he, Garland and Mitchell will remain teammates for the 2024-25 NBA season — will be worth watching closely as the coming offseason moves along.