When the Chicago Bulls made the move to acquire Isaac Okoro from the Cleveland Cavaliers this past summer, the goal was clear: to reshape their defensive identity.
As Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic explains, Okoro has been known primarily for his defensive skills since entering the league, but his role in Cleveland had begun to diminish over time.
Last season, the 24-year-old swingman appeared in 55 games, averaging a career-low 19.1 minutes per contest. His time on the floor dipped even further in the postseason, where he logged just 14.2 minutes per night.
For Okoro, the trade offered a chance at a fresh start after five years with the franchise that drafted him.
“I think for both parties, (Cleveland) probably wanted to change. … For me, I wanted to change,” Okoro said. “Of course, it was hard for both of us to be apart, because that’s where I was drafted to. But in this business, changes happen.
“Things like this, I look at as a blessing because I’m able to rebrand myself. (It’s) a new chance for me to come to this team and bring a leadership that I’ve learned (from) five years in Cleveland and try to help the team with the things I’ve learned throughout the years.”
The Bulls believed in Okoro’s potential enough to part ways with Lonzo Ball, sending the veteran guard to Cleveland in return. Head coach Billy Donovan explained that the deal reflected both organizations addressing different needs.
‘‘When I spoke to the front office about (the trade), it was, ‘Hey, this is an opportunity, and what do you think about Isaac?’ ” Donovan recalled.
‘‘I think the trade, in my opinion, was good (for both teams). We needed some physicality, and Isaac brings that to the table. Where (the Cavaliers are) as an organization now in terms of trying to make a deep playoff run, they had some (backcourt) injuries last year, and this shores up their backcourt a little bit more.’’
