Cleveland Cavaliers Turn Isaac Okoro Trade Into $11M Boost with Clever Cap Maneuver

The Cavaliers pulled off a trade that could reshape their financial future thanks to a savvy behind-the-scenes move you might’ve missed.

Feb 14, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) celebrates after hitting a three point basket during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ trade of Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for Lonzo Ball may look straightforward on the surface, but behind the scenes, it reveals a sharp financial play that strengthens Cleveland’s flexibility moving forward.

Rather than conduct a traditional salary match, the Cavaliers leveraged a specific clause in Ball’s contract, related to injury protection, to their advantage.

Chicago, still holding a $17.18 million trade exception from the Zach LaVine deal with Sacramento, was forced to absorb Okoro’s $11 million contract using $11 million of that exception due to Ball’s clause. That triggered the creation of a brand-new $11 million traded player exception (TPE) for Cleveland, which expires on July 6, 2026.

Due to an injury protection clause in Lonzo Ball's contact, the Chicago Bulls had to use a portion of their TPE for Zach LaVine to acquire Isaac Okoro.

The Cleveland Cavaliers created a full TPE of $11M for Isaac Okoro on the outgoing salary side.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 16, 2025

This kind of move matters. With the NBA’s evolving Collective Bargaining Agreement introducing new apron lines and hard cap triggers, even teams like Cleveland, currently projected to exceed the luxury tax, need to be surgical in roster management. Acquiring Ball and creating a new TPE without worsening their tax outlook fits that bill perfectly.

Ball, who returned last season after a lengthy injury layoff, is on a two-year, $20 million deal. If healthy, he adds playmaking and defensive depth. Okoro, meanwhile, gets a fresh start with a Bulls team eager for wing defense.

While not a blockbuster on paper, this trade exemplifies how a front office can gain a competitive edge, not just on the court, but on the balance sheet.