With the end of July nearing, Lauri Markkanen is the next big domino to fall either via a renegotiation and extension with the Utah Jazz or a trade to another team, as the league is seemingly in a holding pattern until then. Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram also has been a hot topic in trade chatter as he enters the final year of his contract. Other trade talks involving the Brooklyn Nets, including forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson, are also worth monitoring.
Meanwhile, in free agency, Cleveland Cavaliers’ restricted free agent Isaac Okoro is the top player available on the market according to our HoopsHype rankings. However, a decision on his future could come soon for the 23-year-old wing. Okoro could be dealt in a sign-and-trade deal, re-signed by Cleveland to a multi-year contract, or sign his one-year qualifying offer.
Okoro, the No. 5 overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, has become a notable 3-and-D wing after shooting a career-high 39.1 percent to complement his strong perimeter defense.
Below is a look at how all three scenarios could play out, where things stand now, and what the final decision could be.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are believed to have a high asking price for Okoro in sign-and-trade discussions.
Several teams have expressed interest in executing a sign-and-trade with Cleveland for Okoro, which could potentially land him above the non-taxpayer mid-level exception annually, HoopsHype has learned.
The Nets are among the teams considered a sign-and-trade possibility for Okoro, though nothing is considered imminent with Brooklyn, sources said. As previously reported by HoopsHype, Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith has drawn trade interest from Cleveland and has come up in discussions for Okoro, sources said. Cleveland is also intrigued by Cam Johnson, according to reports.
Read more here: https://x.com/MikeAScotto/status/1817689403906793574
4 comments
Would personally rather get any first round picks possible for Cam J/DFS… but if Okoro is the best we can get for DFS I wouldn’t be mad at it. Okoro is only 23 and probably a better player than DFS at this point so I dont really expect picks to be involved either way. Only worry is Okoro being the type of player that helps you win games.
1st rd picks only
Would be a great acquisition, hope Marks is able to get it done.
Would love to take a flier on the former 5th pick for DFS. I’d take anything but I don’t see DFS getting traded for a 1st at the moment (but who knows). I just don’t hope that he gets traded for a bag of chips and some 2nds.