Hornets 'Expressed Interest' in Trading for Cavs' Defensive Star

Jeff Peterson considered making another move to bolster Charlotte's defense.

Mike Watters-Imagn Images

It's been a relatively quiet offseason for the Charlotte Hornets outside of the draft and making a trade to land shooting guard Josh Green from the Dallas Mavericks. But according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Hornets considered making another trade to bolster its defensive play.

Scotto says the Hornets and the Brooklyn Nets "expressed interest" in trading for 23-year-old small forward Isaac Okoro before inking a new three-year contract to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets were among the teams who expressed interest in acquiring restricted free agent Isaac Okoro via sign-and-trade before he agreed to a three-year, $38 million deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told @hoopshype. https://t.co/qE2PUxa6MP

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 14, 2024

The former No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has split time in the NBA as a starter and bench piece, moving into more of a reserve role over the past two seasons. In 279 career games, Okoro has averaged 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 46% from the floor and 34% from three-point range.

Scotto did not reveal any further details as to who the Hornets considered coughing up in a potential trade with Cleveland, but with a lack of attractive moveable options, Charlotte couldn't offer up enough to get a deal done.

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