BR grades Isaac Okoro pick by Cavs

Bleacher Report graded all of the picks in the 2020 NBA Draft and that includes the selection by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Even though some are divided about the Cavaliers selection of Isaac Okoro, Bleacher Report gave Cleveland a fairly good grade (B).

The grade highlights the great defensive skills of Okoro.

“He’s probably the best defender in this draft, and he makes his presence felt on and off the basketball. He can switch 1 through 4 right now, and he’s strong enough to at least make small-ball bigs work on a switch.”

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report on the Cavs selection of Isaac Okoro

The offensive limitations of Okoro are also mentioned.

“But Okoro’s shot is rough (28.6 percent from three, 67.2 percent at the line), and it may never come around. If it does, he could follow Jimmy Butler’s path to stardom. If it doesn’t, he could function like a Justise Winslow reboot.“

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report on the Cavs selection of Isaac Okoro

The Cavs are banking on the defensive skills of Okoro hoping that his offense develops over time. Okoro is someone who can cover multiple positions which is something Cleveland needs right now. The Cavs defense has not been good for quite some time and it needed to be addressed. There are other options on offense the Cavaliers can lean on until his offense improves, that is if it improves. Even if Okoro settles somewhere in-between the aforementioned Jimmy Butler and Justise Winslow, it would be a win for the Cavs. Okoro doesn’t need to be a star, just a productive starter and it appears that is certainly a possibility.