According to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Brooklyn Nets are considering signing and trading Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro.
The Cavaliers have been linked to Brooklyn Nets forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Cameron Johnson.
Okoro is currently considered a restricted free agent. His qualifying offer is for $11.8 million.
“The Nets are among the teams considered a sign-and-trade possibility for Okoro, though nothing is considered imminent with Brooklyn, sources said,” according to Scotto. “As previously reported by HoopsHype, Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith has sparked trade interest from Cleveland and is currently in talks with Okoro, according to sources. Cleveland is also interested in Cam Johnson, according to reports.
Okoro played in 69 games for the Cavaliers this season. He averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks, shooting 49.0% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc, and 67.9% from the free throw line.
Okoro, as a restricted free agent, has the option of re-signing with the Cavaliers or accepting an offer sheet from another team. Cleveland would have 48 hours to match any offer sheet for Okoro.
The Cavaliers selected Okoro with the fifth overall choice in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Auburn. He has a career average of 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 279 games.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers are believed to have a high asking price for Okoro in sign-and-trade discussions,” according to Scotto. “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.”
Finney-Smith averaged 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks for the Nets in 2023-24, shooting 42.1% from the field, 34.8% from beyond the arc, and 71.7% from the free throw line. He will earn $14.9 million in 2024-25.
Johnson played in 58 games for the Nets in 2023-24. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks, shooting 44.6% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc, and 78.9% from the free throw line. He will earn $23.6 million next season.
