Isaac Okoro Making Big Impression Early For Bulls

Michael Walton II

Oct 1, 2025, 08:45

Michael Walton II

Oct 1, 2025, 08:45

Updated at: Oct 1, 2025, 19:28

The Chicago Bulls trade sending Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Isaac Okoro received mixed reactions from critics. Some agreed with the Bulls choosing to swap the very good, but often injured Ball, for the tenacious defender that is Okoro.

Others felts that Okoro--who has never averaged over 10 PPG or over a steal per game--was an underwhelming return for Ball with no draft compensation attached, seeing as an even half-healthy Ball clearly aids Cleveland's quest for back-to-back No. 1 seeds in the Eastern Conference. But is it possible that Okoro aids Chicago just as much on their journey to build while competing? Arturas Karnisovas certainly believes Okoro was a necessary addition to the club.

"Well I think we were, you know, talking about, you know, playing better defensively, you gotta start bringing people that play tough defense and he was the first one in our minds."

Billy Donovan echoed Karnisovas' sentiments, stating, "Isaac is a tremendous defender, we've seen him obviously very closely in Cleveland, but we don't have everybody built like that, so, how do we generate and manufacture extra possessions, that's one of the focuses I think for us defensively is gonna be on those things."

Chicago's 7.6 steals per game ranked within the bottom five, while their 4.7 blocks per game tied for 24th. Overall the Bulls ranked 29th in opponent's turnover rate, showing their lack of defensive playmakers. While generating more steals would, of course, aid the defense, forcing more missed shots would be the easiest way to improve the defensive efficiency. That will take the Bulls doing a much better job of navigating screens and communicating on defense.

Second-year Bulls forward Matas Buzelis has been impressed by Okoro's commitment to playing defense. "Isaac Okoro has been really speaking about the physicality. He's been battling through the screens, fighting," Buzelis stated. "It helps all the other guys, they see that and they want to do that too. So he's been a great leader on that."

Billy Donovan has not stated who is going to be within his starting lineup, but it is safe to assume that Okoro has the inside track as of now. Okoro also has 26 games of NBA postseason experience, so he knows a bit about the level of the play the Bulls are trying to get to. He is unlikely to develop into more than a fourth or fifth option offensively, but he has the potential to legitimately change the way the Bulls play defense.

Isaac Okoro Making Big Impression Early For Bulls