Free Agency

[Crymson]

So if he takes the QO, we can't deal Sasser+2nd to fit his salary into our remaining cap?

Correct.

Also, possibly Cavs let us know earlier they would match contract offer so this is their way of getting something for him

I strongly doubt it. The combination of Cleveland's financial reality being known and Okoro being nothing special would've made that extremely unlikely. The front office had enough cap space come the end of the moratorium to make him an offer that Cleveland would never have realistically matched, with no risk. They could've signed Okoro to an offer sheet that would've paid him around $18 million in his first season, have still had the space to take on Reed afterward, and then signed Beasley with the Room MLE and Fontecchio using Early Bird. In what we know to be the extremely unlikely event that the Cavs were really, truly willing to take on that contract rather than lose him for the very modest return that a sign-and-trade would've generated, then they could've earned that modest return by just dealing with the Pistons in a sign-and-trade at that point instead.

The roster calculus was the same back then as it was now: the front office had prioritized shooting, already had Ausar and Holland on the roster, and didn't want more non-veteran talent on the roster anyway. Okoro would've been a step back in the wrong direction in terms of that first item, he would've overlapped with and stood in the way of that duo, and he's not a reliable veteran player.

By all accounts, there just wasn't any interest. Why would that have changed now?

[bstein14]

So if he takes the QO, we can't deal Sasser+2nd to fit his salary into our remaining cap?

Correct.

Also, possibly Cavs let us know earlier they would match contract offer so this is their way of getting something for him

We could at the trade deadline, but if he takes the QO he won't be able to be traded for a few months and he will have the say in where he goes and normally you don't want to give up too much for someone who is going to be an unrestricted FA a few months later so the most likely scenario, if we are interested.... is that we give him something like 3 years $36 million and we offer the Cavs something small in value to make it a sign and trade rather than a flat out signing.

[Canadafan]

So if he takes the QO, we can't deal Sasser+2nd to fit his salary into our remaining cap?

Correct.

Also, possibly Cavs let us know earlier they would match contract offer so this is their way of getting something for him

We could at the trade deadline, but if he takes the QO he won't be able to be traded for a few months and he will have the say in where he goes and normally you don't want to give up too much for someone who is going to be an unrestricted FA a few months later so the most likely scenario, if we are interested.... is that we give him something like 3 years $36 million and we offer the Cavs something small in value to make it a sign and trade rather than a flat out signing.

Thanks guys.
THJr is a stopgap and Beasely might be gone at end of year so I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world to surround Ivey and Cade with athletic guys like Ausar Holland Okoro

[Crymson]

We could at the trade deadline, but if he takes the QO he won't be able to be traded for a few months and he will have the say in where he goes and normally you don't want to give up too much for someone who is going to be an unrestricted FA a few months later so the most likely scenario, if we are interested.... is that we give him something like 3 years $36 million and we offer the Cavs something small in value to make it a sign and trade rather than a flat out signing.

He'd be trade-eligible on December 15th. The right of trade refusal you're referring to only comes into play when a player signs an offer sheet and his team matches. Okoro wouldn't have a say.

Thanks guys.
THJr is a stopgap and Beasely might be gone at end of year so I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world to surround Ivey and Cade with athletic guys like Ausar Holland Okoro

THJ and Beasley comprise a large share of the reliable shooting currently in residence on the roster. Surrounding Cade and Ivey with shaky shooters would be a very bad thing, just as it would be for the any other team. It means too few guys who can hit threes and far too little spacing. Both are absolutely essential components of keeping up on offense in today's NBA.

[bstein14]

Correct.

We could at the trade deadline, but if he takes the QO he won't be able to be traded for a few months and he will have the say in where he goes and normally you don't want to give up too much for someone who is going to be an unrestricted FA a few months later so the most likely scenario, if we are interested.... is that we give him something like 3 years $36 million and we offer the Cavs something small in value to make it a sign and trade rather than a flat out signing.

Thanks guys.
THJr is a stopgap and Beasely might be gone at end of year so I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world to surround Ivey and Cade with athletic guys like Ausar Holland Okoro

That's interesting as usually any one year deal is considered a contract that can't be traded unless the player agrees to it but perhaps they look at picking up the qualifying offer as more of a 5th year of a rookie deal. If it can indeed be traded I wonder why we were so dumb to not trade away Greg Monroe after he took the fifth year QO.

[Crymson]

That's interesting as usually any one year deal is considered a contract that can't be traded unless the player agrees to it but perhaps they look at picking up the qualifying offer as more of a 5th year of a rookie deal. If it can indeed be traded I wonder why we were so dumb to not trade away Greg Monroe after he took the fifth year QO.

Right, that's actually accurate. My bad.

[Canadafan]

https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/opinion/three-teams-that-should-pursue-cleveland-cavaliers-isaac-okoro?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Crymson]

https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/opinion/three-teams-that-should-pursue-cleveland-cavaliers-isaac-okoro?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

I know you're just making conversation, but I think it's worth nothing (for visibility's sake) that SI's NBA division (not sure about the rest, but I'm reasonably certain that it's the same; SI has laid off the vast majority of its staff over the last five years) has long been a low-quality content mill staffed by contractors. Nothing to see there, but let's go over it because I'm bored.

Okoro will also be known for his incredible defensive ability.

So incredible that he hasn't received a single All-Defensive vote in four seasons. He's good but not elite.

The Detroit Pistons had the fifth-worst defensive rating in the NBA last season

And the fourth-worst offense.

The match almost makes too much sense.

... except when one considers the strides that the FO has taken to improve spacing and shooting and the fact that its last two high picks (at least one of whom will be in the rotation this season) were athletic wings with shaky shots.

[Canadafan]

Read on Twitter

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[Crymson]

Read on Twitter

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Even if this is his him actually being an unprofessional douchebag and implying on Twitter that he wants a trade, the Pistons won't be the team that trades for him.

[Canadafan]

https://www.si.com/nba/cavaliers/opinion/three-teams-that-should-pursue-cleveland-cavaliers-isaac-okoro?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

I know you're just making conversation, but I think it's worth nothing (for visibility's sake) that SI's NBA division (not sure about the rest, but I'm reasonably certain that it's the same; SI has laid off the vast majority of its staff over the last five years) has long been a low-quality content mill staffed by contractors. Nothing to see there, but let's go over it because I'm bored.

Okoro will also be known for his incredible defensive ability.

So incredible that he hasn't received a single All-Defensive vote in four seasons. He's good but not elite.

The Detroit Pistons had the fifth-worst defensive rating in the NBA last season

And the fourth-worst offense.

The match almost makes too much sense.

... except when one considers the strides that the FO has taken to improve spacing and shooting and the fact that its last two high picks (at least one of whom will be in the rotation this season) were athletic wings with shaky shots.

So just for **** and giggle. What does an Okoro to Detroit transaction look like? What are the options? How would it be possible?

[Crymson]

So just for **** and giggle. What does an Okoro to Detroit transaction look like? What are the options? How would it be possible?

They could make it work in a sign-and-trade for up to about $12.75m in his first season by including Moore, for a minimum of $40 million over three years or a maximum of $55 million over four. Offering him any more would require sending over additional salary in the form of players who actually have value. Given that the Pistons could've had him six weeks ago for nothing more than cap space, sending value in return isn't going to happen.

One could also get a third team involved somehow, but that balloons the number of potential options to such an extent that it's not really worth discussing.

[Canadafan]

So just for **** and giggle. What does an Okoro to Detroit transaction look like? What are the options? How would it be possible?

They could make it work in a sign-and-trade for up to about $12.75m in his first season by including Moore, for a minimum of $40 million over three years or a maximum of $55 million over four. Offering him any more would require sending over additional salary in the form of players who actually have value. Given that the Pistons could've had him six weeks ago for nothing more than cap space, sending value in return isn't going to happen.

One could also get a third team involved somehow, but that balloons the number of potential options to such an extent that it's not really worth discussing.

So Sasser+Moore+2nds for Okoro at 4yrs $55million would work?

[Crymson]

So Sasser+Moore+2nds for Okoro at 4yrs $55million would work?

Yes, but why would the Pistons do that? Sasser and 2nds is a significant haul for a guy whom the Pistons could've just spent cap space on. There would've been basically no prospect of the Cavaliers matching a four-year offer starting at, say, $15 million per season. Langdon had the option and chose to just let $15 million in cap space (between Fontecchio, Beasley, and Klintman) go poof instead.

[Canadafan]

So Sasser+Moore+2nds for Okoro at 4yrs $55million would work?

Yes, but why would the Pistons do that? Sasser and 2nds is a significant haul for a guy whom the Pistons could've just spent cap space on. There would've been basically no prospect of the Cavaliers matching a four-year offer starting at, say, $15 million per season. Langdon had the option and chose to just let $15 million in cap space (between Fontecchio, Beasley, and Klintman) go poof instead.

I luv u crymson. Can always count on you for a response.
You're likely correct but maybe possibly the cavs saidnfu k u langdon we'll match whatever you're gonna offer, and this way they now get some 2nd rounders and sasser as a contingency plan

[chrbal]

So just for **** and giggle. What does an Okoro to Detroit transaction look like? What are the options? How would it be possible?

To really not answer the question, I’m convinced Okoro either takes the qualifying offer from Cleveland or gets signed and traded to Brooklyn with Finney-Smith going to Cleveland and the Cavs send Niang and some kind of draft compensation to a 3rd team for the rights to some player you forgot was drafted over a decade ago (or a player like Wendell Moore Jr* that doesn’t really belong in the NBA).

*using him as an example, not saying I want Detroit to trade for Niang

[DetroitSho]

So Sasser+Moore+2nds for Okoro at 4yrs $55million would work?

Yes, but why would the Pistons do that? Sasser and 2nds is a significant haul for a guy whom the Pistons could've just spent cap space on. There would've been basically no prospect of the Cavaliers matching a four-year offer starting at, say, $15 million per season. Langdon had the option and chose to just let $15 million in cap space (between Fontecchio, Beasley, and Klintman) go poof instead.

I luv u crymson. Can always count on you for a response.
You're likely correct but maybe possibly the cavs saidnfu k u langdon we'll match whatever you're gonna offer, and this way they now get some 2nd rounders and sasser as a contingency plan

Are you really fighting this hard for acquiring Okoro?

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[Crymson]

I luv u crymson. Can always count on you for a response.

Happy to help!

You're likely correct but maybe possibly the cavs saidnfu k u langdon we'll match whatever you're gonna offer, and this way they now get some 2nd rounders and sasser as a contingency plan

Possible but, I'd say, hugely unlikely. Why bother, anyway? Okoro doesn't fit here and just isn't all that special in the first place.

[Canadafan]

Yes, but why would the Pistons do that? Sasser and 2nds is a significant haul for a guy whom the Pistons could've just spent cap space on. There would've been basically no prospect of the Cavaliers matching a four-year offer starting at, say, $15 million per season. Langdon had the option and chose to just let $15 million in cap space (between Fontecchio, Beasley, and Klintman) go poof instead.

I luv u crymson. Can always count on you for a response.
You're likely correct but maybe possibly the cavs saidnfu k u langdon we'll match whatever you're gonna offer, and this way they now get some 2nd rounders and sasser as a contingency plan

Are you really fighting this hard for acquiring Okoro?

Sent from my SM-S918U using RealGM mobile app

Sadly, yes lol. I just want more than what we got

[GreekAlex]

I luv u crymson. Can always count on you for a response.
You're likely correct but maybe possibly the cavs saidnfu k u langdon we'll match whatever you're gonna offer, and this way they now get some 2nd rounders and sasser as a contingency plan

Are you really fighting this hard for acquiring Okoro?

Sent from my SM-S918U using RealGM mobile app

Sadly, yes lol. I just want more than what we got

I believe the flexibility has more value at this point.

I think a few teams are going to come to the realization that they aren’t contenders and get desperate to sneak under the tax or apron.

Injuries will shake up the season too.

I think the team is in a great position.