Isaac Okoro calls trade from Cavs ‘a blessing,’ eager to rebrand with Bulls

Isaac Okoro isn’t bitter about leaving Cleveland. In fact, he sounds relieved.

The former Cavaliers wing, traded to the Bulls over the summer for veteran guard Lonzo Ball, said the move gives him a new opportunity to redefine himself after five seasons in Cleveland.

“I think for both parties, (Cleveland) probably wanted to change,” Okoro said, via The Athletic’s Joel Lorenzi. “For me, I wanted to change. 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 24-year-old was known for his defense in Cleveland but saw his minutes shrink last season to a career-low 19.1 per game. By the playoffs, he was down to 14.2.

The trade to Chicago gives him the chance to play a more prominent role — and to help reshape a Bulls team that’s looking to build a new defensive identity.

Bulls coach Billy Donovan said the deal made sense for both sides.

“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 said, via Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. “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.”

For Okoro, it’s simple. New city, new system, same effort.

“I’m just looking at it as a fresh start,” he said. “A chance to show everything I’ve been working on and help this team win.”