Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Isaac Okoro has gotten off to a great start in the preseason
There is no question that the Cleveland Cavaliers are in full rebuild mode. When a team is in rebuild mode, it’s crucial that the front office hits on their lottery draft picks. Early signs suggest the Cavaliers did just that by selecting Issac Okoro with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Granted, we are only two games into the preseason, but Okoro has flashed his potential.
Okoro projects as a hard-nosed wing defender whose knock coming into the draft were his offensive upside. In the two preseason games, Okoro has shown the doubters that he has a nice offensive game.
Okoro finished the first game with 18 points on a very efficient 6-9 shooting from the field. Okoro also hit the game-winning layup and free throw to seal the game for the Cavaliers. In the second game, Okoro scored 15 points on 4-7 shooting from the floor.
Through two games, Okoro has shown an offensive game that is further along than most people would’ve thought. that falls in line with why the Cavaliers were extremely high on the rookie from Auburn.
His strength is finishing at the rim, but Okoro has shown he has decent shooting ability. He does show some reluctance to shoot from behind the arc at times. Confidence in his shot will be key in realizing his full potential.
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has stated that there is an open competition for the small forward spot. Okoro is competing with teammates Cedi Osmon and Dylan Windler for the position. Questions have arisen about Okoro’s size at the position and if he can guard at the small forward spot.
Joe Varden of The Athletic (subscription required) wrote that there are questions out of Cavs camp that Okoro can play the small forward position. Okoro did start at shooting guard in the second preseason game against the Pacers. The reason was that third-year guard Collin Sexton was out with an ankle injury.
Whether Okoro will play the shooting guard or small forward position moving forward is yet to be seen but one thing remains. A consistent offensive game will be required of him to take his game to the next level. From what I’ve seen so far Okoro is trending in the right direction. The Cleveland Cavaliers may have fallen into the steal of the 2020 NBA Draft.