Isaac Okoro can make an immediate impact defensively
One caveat of the small guard pairing of Sexton and Garland is its defensive limitations. Both guards are 6-foot-1 and neither has proven to be a lockdown defender. This pairing is already at a disadvantage when matching up with bigger backcourts. Kevin Love, although a decent team defender, isn’t known for his defensive abilities either.
The 2020 Cavaliers ranked 29th in defensive rating last season.
Isaac Okoro is part of the remedy to this. In college, Okoro often guarded the best player on the other team and he plans to do the same in the NBA.
"I'm looking forward to guarding the best players on every team." 😤#CavsDraft | @isaacokoro303 pic.twitter.com/UMEAc0f5a5
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 19, 2020
Every team would love an elite defender that can guard the best player on the opposing team. Having one will be especially beneficial to a Cavaliers starting five that has trouble stopping anyone.
The Cavaliers certainly hope whether it’s James Harden, Damian Lillard, or Kawhi Leonard giving them a hard time that Okoro can be utilized to try to slow superstars down. Even if his offense never develops (although it should), Okoro will have a long career if his defense lives up to expectations.