Cavs' free agent forward leaves NBA to sign contract with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid

Billy Heyen

Cavs' free agent forward leaves NBA to sign contract with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid image

The Cleveland Cavaliers brought Chuma Okeke onto their roster for the stretch run of last season to take a look at the talented forward out of Auburn.

But they didn't extend him a contract offer after the season ended, and Okeke is now heading overseas.

It's a big move for Okeke, too, who joins Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid on a two-year deal, per Eurohoops.

Okeke was actually a first-round pick of the Magic in 2019. He missed his first season due to injury.

From there, Okeke spent four seasons with the Magic, appearing in 189 games, including 55 starts. 

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He then began the 2024-25 season with the 76ers before joining the Cavs late.

In all, Okeke has averaged 6.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in his NBA career.

The 6-foot-6 Okeke is a bit between positions for a guy who has only shot 32% from 3-point range.

At 26 years old, he'll have a chance to shine in the EuroLeague and potentially make it back stateside in a couple of seasons. It could be a similar trajectory to the one taken by Guerschon Yabusele, who flamed out as a Celtics' first-rounder, starred at Real Madrid, then came back to the 76ers and now the Knicks.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle