The Cavaliers’ pursuit of a championship is running headfirst into the financial challenges imposed by the NBA’s new collective bargaining rules. As one of only three teams projected to exceed the second tax apron — along with Boston and Phoenix — Cleveland’s front office faces some tough choices.
On the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast, Chris Fedor identified Isaac Okoro as the most likely player to be moved in a cost-cutting deal this offseason.
Fedor didn’t mince words: “It’s not that they’re desperate, but ideally the Cavs would find someone willing to take on Okoro’s contract.”
The reasoning is clear. For a team aiming for a title, Okoro’s output doesn’t match his $11–12 million salary — particularly when he averages just 19 minutes per game and struggles to contribute consistently in the playoffs.
“This is a team with championship ambitions,” Fedor emphasized. “They can’t afford to pay that much for someone who isn’t in the regular playoff rotation.”
But this is about more than just trimming payroll. With massive deals already in place for Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, every supporting piece must offer value relative to its cost.
Okoro, despite his defensive skills and status as a former lottery pick, doesn’t meet that standard — and finding a trade partner may not be simple. Other teams may view him as a salary dump and ask the Cavs to sweeten the deal with assets like Jaylon Tyson or future second-round picks.
Dean Wade also surfaced as a possible trade option, despite his defensive versatility. Fedor noted multiple league sources had recently brought up Wade as a name to watch. “His impact is real,” he said, “but Cleveland might need to make some tough subtractions.”
Jimmy Watkins raised concerns about the potential defensive fallout of losing Okoro or Wade: “This team has long emphasized a defense-first identity. Trading one or both would put a lot of pressure on the belief that Mobley — or the Mobley-Allen duo — can cover for those losses.”
These choices underscore a harsh truth about contending in today’s NBA: financial flexibility is as critical as talent. Fedor concluded bluntly: “If your name isn’t Donovan Mitchell or Evan Mobley, you shouldn’t feel too secure — not with where the Cavs are financially, not after a second-round playoff exit, and not with the new CBA tightening spending rules.”
While owner Dan Gilbert is willing to pay the luxury tax for a title-caliber team, the goal isn’t just to cut costs — it’s to maximize the return on every dollar. From that standpoint, Okoro appears to be the most expendable piece.