The NBA regular season is coming to a close, and teams are finalizing their rosters in preparation for what should be a very exciting 2025 NBA Playoffs. The best team in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers, is still not making last-minute roster tweaks as they hope to find the perfect mix for a championship run.
Shams Charania reported that the Cavaliers are signing former first-round draft pick Chuma Okeke to a contract Thursday night. If the Cavaliers stay healthy throughout their playoff run, this move shouldn’t have too much of an impact. However, if injuries start to creep up, the Cavs’ Chuma Okeke signing could prove to be a more important move than we may now think it is.
Cavaliers Fill Final Roster Spot With Former First-Round Pick
Okeke’s NBA Career So Far
Okeke’s NBA career began when he was selected 16th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2019 NBA Draft. However, his rookie season was delayed due to a torn ACL suffered in college. In 2020, Okeke showed flashes of potential as a versatile forward capable of contributing on both ends of the floor. Over four seasons with Orlando, he averaged 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Despite his defensive instincts and ability to stretch the floor at times, inconsistency and injuries prevented him from carving out a steady role in the Magic’s rotation.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and former first-round pick Chuma Okeke have agreed to a deal, filling the East leaders' final open roster spot, sources tell ESPN. Okeke averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for NBA G League Westchester this season. pic.twitter.com/WuW3DAWLAM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 4, 2025
After his time in Orlando, Okeke briefly joined the Philadelphia 76ers this season. He played in seven games and averaged 6.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game. Okeke wasn’t able to convert his short-term contract with Philly to anything more. He then transitioned to the G League, playing for the Westchester Knicks, averaging 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. His strong G League performance earned him another shot in the NBA, this time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers’ Depth Chart Gets Fortified
The Cavs’ Chuma Okeke signing gives them a bit more size for their frontcourt. Right now, he is listed as the fifth-string power forward and fourth-string center on the Cavaliers’ depth chart. That being said, Okeke should be considered the third-string center for the Cavs. Behind Jarrett Allen, it is him and Tristan Thompson who will be expected to hold down the backup center minutes.
The Last Word on Cavs’ Chuma Okeke Decision
The Cavaliers are hoping that Allen and young star Evan Mobley can handle most of the playoff minutes down low. However, if one of them sustains an injury for any amount of time, Okeke could get some real minutes. Thompson is 34 years old and is a long way from his peak days as the Cavaliers’ starting center. That is why Okeke could come in handy.
If the Cavaliers find themselves in a playoff series in which they have frontcourt health issues and Thompson can’t keep up, Okeke could get his chance. It would be quite the redemption arc for a player who is toeing the line between the G League and the NBA. Hopefully for the Cavs, they won’t need to go that deep into their rotation during this playoff run.
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