The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly interested in acquiring a role player before the end of the free agency period.
According to Michael Scott of Hoops Hype, the Nets are pursuing a potential sign-and-trade with Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Isaac Okoro. Scott also noted that the Cavs are interested in Dorian Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson.
According to Scott, Brooklyn is one of the teams interested in Okoro, so the restricted free agent could become even more talked about in the coming weeks.
The No. 5 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Okoro has played a consistent role in his four seasons in the NBA, averaging 8.5 points on 46.7% field goal shooting and 34.7% three-point shooting for his career, but last season he averaged 9.4 points on 49% field goal shooting and 39.1% three-point shooting.
As one of the best free agents remaining on the market, Okoro likely has teams trying to acquire him from Cleveland. If he wants, he can sign a one-year, $11.83 million qualifying offer and become a free agent next offseason.
Okoro also reportedly received an offer of $8 million to $10 million per year from the Cavs. What makes a deal with Cleveland better than a qualifying offer is the financial security, but if he believes he can make more next year, he may opt for the one-year deal.
The Cavaliers would likely get something solid in return for Okoro in a sign-and-trade with the Nets, but it may be worth keeping him on the team after Cleveland's current team had some success last season.
The Cavs went 48-34 last season and beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs before losing to the Boston Celtics in the second round. They will return with the same roster this season and look to succeed under new head coach Kenny Atkinson.
