The Cleveland Cavaliers need to figure out a way to keep their key players.
If they won’t trade Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen and run it back with the same core, they need to keep Ty Jerome for the long run as well.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, Jerome is becoming a free agent after the best season of his career, and the Cavs won’t have much wiggle room to make him a compelling offer to re-sign.
Considering that, ESPN insider Bobby Marks said he believes that Jerome will have to explore outside options and named the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings as logical fits and potential destinations.
“Jerome is one of the better backup guards in free agency and should see a considerable pay increase off his $2.6 million salary in Cleveland last season,” Marks wrote. “However, Cleveland is not only a luxury tax team for the first time since 2018 but also $13 million over the second apron. A starting salary of $14 million adds an additional $80 million in tax penalties and puts Cleveland further over the second apron. Atlanta, Brooklyn, Charlotte and Sacramento all have a void at starting or backup point guard and have the full $14.1 million non-tax midlevel exception available to offer.”
Jerome was an occasional contributor off the bench, and not many people saw this year’s success coming.
He became the Cavs’ most important player off the bench and had some strong outings as a fill-in starter when head coach Kenny Atkinson needed someone to step in for Garland or Donovan Mitchell.
Granted, Jerome’s postseason struggles may have taken a toll on his market value, but he likely can get more money somewhere else.
Though Atkinson can offer him a big role off the bench, like the one he had this season, Jerome could potentially be a starter for another team, so keeping him in Cleveland might be an uphill challenge.
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