If the Isaac Okoro sign-and-trade deal had gone through, NBA reporter Evan Dammarell of ClutchPoints believes that the Cleveland Cavaliers would have most likely gotten Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets.
Dammarell wrote, “Sources have confirmed with ClutchPoints the initial reporting that things didn’t get far, even though restricted free agent forward Isaac Okoro and the Brooklyn Nets were interested in a deal.” “Cleveland would have probably acquired Dorian Finney-Smith in a sign-and-trade deal that would have sent Okoro to the Nets if something had transpired between Okoro and Brooklyn. However, given how long free agency is going to take and how tight the Nets and Cavs’ margins are, a deal is probably not going to happen right now.
Finney-Smith shot 42.1% from the field, 34.8% from beyond the arc, and 71.7% from the free-throw line in 2023–24 while averaging 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks for the Nets. In 2024–25, he will earn $14.9 million.
With the Dallas Mavericks and Nets, Finney-Smith has averaged 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks throughout his career.
Okoro is anticipated to sign his $11.8 million qualifying offer. If he accepted the qualifying offer, he would become an unrestricted free agency the next offseason.
Okoro, an Auburn graduate, was selected by the Cavaliers with the fifth overall choice in the 2020 NBA Draft. Throughout 279 games, he has averaged 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks.
Okoro played for the Cavaliers in 69 games during the previous campaign. 9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks, and a 49.0% field goal, 39.1% three-pointer, and 67.9% free-throw percentage were all averages for him.
“Although Okoro’s free agency market is still quiet, other NBA teams might try to help him sign and trade with Cleveland,” Dammarell stated. “A choice needs to be made because the Cavaliers’ training camp begins in less than two months. In the past, Cleveland has shown itself to be a patient and practical squad when making decisions. The Cavs will have to wait and see what Okoro decides after they’ve already presented him with what they believe to be a reasonable offer.
“It seems that Okoro’s restricted free agency choices are now fully utilized. ClutchPoints has received confirmation from league sources that Okoro will accept Cleveland’s qualifying offer of $11.8 million in light of this. After that, Okoro is essentially placing his wager on himself for the upcoming season, which may be his final one with the Cavaliers.
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