5 important goals for the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason

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WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 14: Isaac Okoro #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in action against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on May 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

5 goals for the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason: 2. Figure out the future of Isaac Okoro

Many of the young Cavs appear poised to play roles in the future, either for this franchise or another. It’s not clear if that’s the fate for Isaac Okoro, though.

Okoro, a lottery pick in 2020, hasn’t broken out as expected in Cleveland. He has been a starter for the past two years but only averaged 8.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season, both down from his rookie campaign. He’s also still not a strong shooter from beyond the arc, though he moved up to 35 percent this season.

Shooting is the biggest thing Okoro needs to work on ahead of next season. He’s good at shooting from the corners, hitting 44 percent of his shots from the area after the calendar turned to February, but he could use improvement from all the other areas of the court.

If Okoro can improve on his shooting, he could play a catch-and-shoot, 3&D role in JB Bickerstaff’s rotation. Every team needs a few players like that, but the expectations for a fifth-overall pick are deservedly higher.

He’s still only 21 years old and won’t turn 22 until midway through the coming season, but the NBA passes players by fast, as evidenced by players like Garland and Mobley surpassing Okoro in prestige.

The team exercised its option on Okoro at the beginning of the year, but there’s a difficult decision about whether to exercise it for his fourth season. The way he’s played so far, it’s not clear he’s earned it yet.

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