The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t make big player moves last offseason.
They replaced head coach J.B. Bickerstaff with Kenny Atkinson, but the roster remained much the same.
However, they did find a major reinforcement from within.
Ty Jerome had the best season of his career, and getting him back to full strength after he was a non-factor in his first year was huge.
Unfortunately, his tenure in Cleveland might be short-lived.
He’s about to become a free agent, and following his breakout season, he will most likely demand more money than the Cavs can pay him.
With that in mind, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report predicted that Jerome will join the Sacramento Kings.
“The Cavaliers need to make several difficult decisions this summer. Ty Jerome was an integral part of the team’s regular-season success. After Evan Mobley won the Defensive Player of the Year award, his salary jumped to 30 percent of the cap (instead of 25), and Cleveland has one of the heaviest payrolls in the league. That’s before considering Jerome, who will seek as much of a raise as he can muster.” Pincus wrote. “The Sacramento Kings have the NTMLE available and need a starting-capable guard who can come off the bench.”
The Kings are one of several teams reportedly keeping tabs on Jerome, who started his NBA career in 2019.
Jerome enjoyed his best season under Atkinson, but he might get a bigger role with Sacramento.
While not a traditional point guard, Jerome would be an upgrade over whatever the Kings have at the moment.
Even if that weren’t the case, the Cavs are going to have a tough time matching any offer he may get.
Unless they find someone willing to take on Isaac Okoro’s contract, or trade Jarrett Allen or Darius Garland, the Cavs won’t have much money available to spend, not even to keep their own free agents.
NEXT: Cavs Among Betting Favorites To Land Clippers Guard
