Cavaliers wing Isaac Okoro has been involved in trade rumors recently, so it only makes sense that he’d also be involved in a hypothetical trade proposal.
But that’s what the NBA is all about — rumors, trade machines and fun. And we here at Hoops Wire celebrate it as much as anyone.
Anyway, one hypothetical trade proposal floated by SI.com’s Schuyler Callihan sends Okoro to the Charlotte Hornets in a three-team deal that also involves the Phoenix Suns. It goes like this:
Hornets receive: Okoro, 2028 1st round pick (via Phoenix)
Cavaliers receive: Forward Cody Martin, No. 33 pick (via Charlotte)
Suns receive: Center Mark Williams
From the Suns’ standpoint, this is an immediate win. Williams is still young and has already proven to be a difference-maker in the middle. The Los Angeles Lakers traded for him in February, to an incredible amount of fanfare, only to send him back to Charlotte after he failed his physical. Whatever.
Anyway, for the Cavs and Hornets … well, I’m not really sure what either stands to gain. It feels like just making a trade for the sake of it. Okoro-for-Martin seems like mish for mash.
Then again, Martin is a strong athlete on the wing and shoots 3-pointers at about a 42-percent clip. That could make him an automatic fit. Everyone keeps saying the Cavs need to add toughness. Martin, 29, would offer exactly that.
Meanwhile, I think it may be time for a change of scenery for Okoro. He could still really flourish somewhere — I’m just not so sure it’ll be in Cleveland. He’s a better defender than Martin, but hasn’t hit perimeter shots consistently and remains hesitant to take them.
I’ve said since the middle of last season that non-playoff teams such as the Hornets or Washington Wizards should make a run at Okoro. At 24-years old, he’d be a nice fit alongside everything else they’re building in those spots.
But I’m not desperate to move on from him if I’m the Cavs. And I wouldn’t just trade him for the sake of it. Nor will the pro basketball team in Cleveland.
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