CLEVELAND, Ohio — Isaac Okoro entered the 2024-25 season carrying the weight of expectation.
After a playoff performance he’d sooner forget and a fresh three-year, $38 million contract with $33 million guaranteed, there were plenty focused on the Cavs’ 6-foot-5 swingman.
The key question was whether Okoro could rebound and evolve into a reliable 3-and-D weapon for a Cavaliers team that relies heavily on his defensive versatility.
Early signs pointed to continued progress.
Okoro’s regular-season 3-point percentage last year (39.1%) hinted at growth as he’s improved each year in the NBA, but his postseason struggles — a mere 25.7% from deep and an offensive rating of 82 against the Boston Celtics — left doubts.
Wide-open opportunities in the playoffs were often squandered, as he shot just 30% when defenders were six feet away or more.
This year, the transformation is undeniable.
The 23-year-old is hitting 46.3% of his 3-pointers — the fifth best percentage in the NBA of players who have played at least 20 games and are averaging at least 20 minutes thus far this season — including a scorching 51.1% on wide-open looks from 10 or more feet from the hoop. His offensive rating has skyrocketed to 122.8, ranking second on the team. These aren’t just numbers; they signify a player finding his rhythm and redefining his role.
Redemption against the Celtics
The Cavs’ first test against Boston, the reigning champions and the team that knocked Cleveland out of the last year’s playoffs, was an opportunity for Okoro to demonstrate his development. But a sprained ankle in a prior game against the Hornets sidelined him, and the Cavs suffered their first loss of the season.
Without Okoro — and Dean Wade, who sustained a similar ankle injury against the Hornets — the Celtics took advantage of the Cavs’ thin wing rotation, underscoring the significance of Okoro’s defensive impact.
The rematch, however, went differently.
Under former head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, Okoro often found himself relegated to the corner on offense, left as a stationary shooter while opposing defenders shifted their focus to the Cavs’ stars. In last season’s playoff series against Boston, Al Horford routinely helped off Okoro, disrupting Cleveland’s offense while daring the swingman to shoot.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson’s system has reimagined Okoro’s role, deploying him as both a pick-and-roller and a shooter. This tactical shift forced the Celtics to account for Okoro’s offensive threat, opening lanes for his teammates.
“I think that’s what’s going to elevate us as a group,” Donovan Mitchell said. “The 3-point shots for sure, but if you’re in the paint and you’re creating and you’re finding ways to get guys [open looks], that was what we worked on all summer. ... That’s the growth I love to see.”
While Okoro didn’t score inside during the Boston game, hitting two 3-pointers over the duration, his presence in the half-roll created ripple effects. His speed and strength drew defenders, giving him opportunities to facilitate. His added role earned him the option to dish a dump-off pass to Evan Mobley for an emphatic dunk or hit Georges Niang, Garland or Mitchell in the corner for open threes, expanding his offensive toolkit.
The impact of those options has already been evident.
After the second meeting with Boston, Mitchell — who ended with a game-high 35 points — said that the matchup reminded him of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The difference between the game to start the month of December and the contest on May 11 was Okoro.
His timely fourth-quarter triple snapped a minute-long scoring drought, pulling the Cavs within three with under five minutes to play. Later, with the game on the line, Okoro rolled to the rim after setting a screen and dished a perfect assist to Mobley for the game-sealing bucket. On the other end, his relentless defense against Boston’s elite wings underscored his value as a two-way weapon, proving he’s growing from simply a defensive specialist into a dynamic piece of Cleveland’s arsenal.
A catalyst for team success
Okoro’s versatility is what makes him indispensable. He’s a defensive juggernaut, capable of switching seamlessly onto nearly any player on the court.
Cleveland Cavaliers battles the Boston Celtics in game 4 of the NBA playoffs
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum drives towards the basket guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro in the second half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
“It gives you such a comfort level to have that guy you can stick on somebody, whether it’s Trae Young, so whether it’s a point guard or we can say, ‘Hey, go guard Jayson Tatum tonight,’” Atkinson praised. “Isaac can guard fours, he can also switch onto fives because he’s so strong. ... He’s kind of a little bit been not talked about, but he’s been great, using him in the pocket too, in the pick and roll.
“We can use this guy as our Swiss army knife. He can guard anybody. He’s been great for us.”
Okoro’s defense is his calling card, but his offensive evolution is what’s unlocking the Cavs’ full potential. His ability to space the floor, make smart reads, and stay active on both ends has opened opportunities for Cleveland’s big men and guards alike.
Another main focus for the Cavs this season was whether their frontcourt duo of Jarrett Allen and Mobley could thrive offensively in Atkinson’s system. With Okoro in the mix, that question is being answered emphatically.
The trio of Okoro, Mobley, and Allen boasts the Cavs’ third-best offensive rating among lineups with at least 100 minutes together at 126.3. This cohesion and efficiency have been key factors in Cleveland’s blistering 21-4 start, solidifying Okoro’s role as a linchpin in their success.
The unpredictable threat
The Cavs have been forced to mix and match their starting lineup for much of the season due to injuries. Max Strus, the projected starting small forward, has yet to play a game this year due to an ankle injury. Both Dean Wade and Isaac Okoro have also dealt with ankle issues, causing them to be in and out of the lineup.
However, despite these setbacks, Okoro has emerged as the most consistent option, starting the most games at small forward and playing a crucial role in the Cavs’ impressive start to the season.
With Okoro in the starting unit, the depth of the bench has been bolstered, giving head coach Atkinson the flexibility to adapt his rotations based on matchups.
Atkinson can turn to Wade for added size and defensive capability or look to Ty Jerome or Caris LeVert for more playmaking and ball-handling. But when the opposing team’s primary offensive threat is more wiry or quick, Okoro’s defensive prowess and ability to defend on the perimeter make him the ideal choice. His presence in the lineup not only strengthens the Cavs’ defense but also provides Atkinson with more tactical options.
Although Okoro has been sidelined for the last two games with a left knee contusion, his return is imminent and could come during the Cavs’ game on Friday against the Wizards.
When Okoro, Strus, and Wade are all healthy, it will be a difficult decision for Atkinson to determine the best option.
While it’s uncommon in the NBA to constantly shuffle lineups, Atkinson could stray from the traditional approach. Drawing inspiration from his diverse background, including his use of sports analogies, Atkinson is privy to treat his rotations much like a baseball manager selecting the right batter for each pitcher. He has the option to strategically tailor his starting lineup to exploit the matchups, ensuring the Cavs are always in the best position.
For the Cavs, Okoro’s rise is about more than statistics. It’s about creating an unpredictable, multi-faceted team — a nightmare for opponents to prepare for, especially in a playoff setting. When Okoro forces defenders to respect his jumper and his growing playmaking ability, the Cavs’ offensive ceiling soars.
“We all know what he can do on the defensive end, and he’s just making the right reads on the offensive end, setting some really good screens for us, attacking the mismatches that he has, and making the right reads every time,” Garland said of Okoro. “We love his aggressiveness, we love his confidence and he’s just got to keep being him.”
With Okoro thriving, the Cavaliers are no longer defined by their limitations. They’re defined by their depth, adaptability, and the quiet blossoming of a player proving he was worth every penny.