What Will Isaac Okoro's Role With The Cavs Be This Season?
The Cleveland Cavaliers have started training camp as they prepare for the start 2023-24 season. It's hard to believe Opening Night is just around the corner.
However, there are still many question marks in terms of who will have what role and what rotations will look like from J.B. Bickerstaff. A lot of the unknowns revolve around Isaac Okoro as he enters his fourth year in the NBA.
In a perfect world, Okoro turns into a fantastic three-and-d player who can come off the bench or start a game from time to time. But that was the hope when the Cavs drafted him, into his sophomore season, year three, and now year four is on the precipice and it still hasn't happened.
Okoro has shown flashes of being this important piece for the Cavs. He had an incredible month of January and into February last season showing he has what it takes. However, Cleveland needs some consistency and Ice hasn't been able to provide that.
Max Strus will likely be Cleveland's starting small forward when the Cavs tip off against the Brooklyn Nets on October 25. That pushes Okoro, who started 46 of the 76 games he played in last season, to the bench.
Feb 15, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Even though the offense has been an issue for Okoro, his defense has still been tremendous. That's what still makes him an important piece of Cleveland's success.
Okoro averaged just under a steal per game last season while having a defensive rating of 111.6. A player with the skillset off the bench will help during a long 82-game season.
Perhaps Okoro does break out this season and Bickerstaff always has the right to adjust his role. But as for now, it feels like Okoro will have to prove himself as a reserve member.
