Speaking to reporters on Monday at his end-of-season media session, Cavaliers head of basketball operations Koby Altman expressed a desire to re-sign free agents Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill this offseason. While Cleveland projects to operate above the second tax apron next season, the team will have the ability to sign both players using Jerome’s Early Bird rights and Merrill’s Bird rights.
However, the cost of retaining the two key reserves would be significant due to the accompanying luxury tax penalties. Although neither Jerome nor Merrill projects to get a massive payday, both players are due significant raises after earning just $2.6MM and $2.2MM, respectively, in 2024/25.
One Eastern Conference executive who spoke to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required) predicted that Jerome’s market in free agency will be in the neighborhood of $12-14MM annually, which would make him a target for teams with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception available this summer. The full MLE is projected to be worth $14.1MM next season.
As Fedor writes, despite his breakout season this past year, Jerome is still viewed as a backup rather than a starter, especially since he was exploited on defense during the Cavaliers’ second-round series vs. Indiana. That perception figures to limit the 27-year-old’s earning potential to some extent in free agency, reducing the odds that he gets a deal exceeding the mid-level.
Fedor identifies the Spurs, Mavericks, and Warriors as a few of the teams to watch as possible suitors for Jerome and hears from sources that the Nuggets have interest too, though their cap situation could prevent them from getting involved. That may also be the case for the Mavs, barring cost-cutting moves in Dallas.
The Pistons could use backcourt help with Dennis Schröder and Malik Beasley entering free agency, but one source close to Jerome tells Cleveland.com that Detroit is probably a “long shot.” As Fedor writes, the Pistons are expected to focus on re-signing Beasley, while Jerome may not be an ideal fit for J.B. Bickerstaff‘s defense-first approach.
If Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is willing to pay a massive tax bill and Jerome doesn’t get offers that far exceed what the Cavs put on the table, Fedor wouldn’t be surprised to see a reunion, noting that the veteran guard recognizes he’s in a great situation in Cleveland.
As for Merrill, one source tells Fedor that his price point could be in the range of $6-8MM per year. The 29-year-old has never earned more than the veteran’s minimum, but he’s a 38.6% career three-point shooter and has improved as a defender.
Seems like Cleveland is ready to run it back…
Run it back and not make NBA finals…they should trade Donovan Mitchell for a nice haul while his value is up. Great year all up, nice depth on the team.
Or they could run most of it back besides Jerome and hope that their starting Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Power Forward, 6th man and 8th man isn’t injured during the second round and make the finals with another off season so Mobley can continue to expand his game.
Well stated
Clown comment bro
@Gus
so they should trade their best player? that makes zero sense. you might as well trade everyone and rebuild if you do that.
I love the idea to bring Jerome back but I would rather they replace Merrill with a bigger not athletic SG that can create their own shot, inject sind energy off the bench and perhaps have done dog in them. A Westbrook type would be great but I’m sure he’ll likely stay in Denver or can draw better offers than what the Cavs can extend. Cavs can use more size in their guard rotation. I also would like to seek similar in a big to replace Wade or Tristan. Wade is a decent 3pt shooter but doesn’t offer much more. It would also help if Coach uses the bench more often.
I doubt I watch them as much as you but I do I watch a lotta Cavs games as I’m a Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley fan. Seems Merrill is decent on defense and normally can hit some threes. As far as Jerome? It kinda depends on his salary demands. He’s very streaky, he can shoot you into a game or out of a game. Hunter can do what Jerome can do offensively and could (could being the key word) be better on defense. I’ve seen Atkinson stick Wade on players like Edwards and Durant and he seemed to hold up as well as can be expected considering. Wade just can’t seem to stay healthy.
The Cavs will be trading either Garland or Mitchell, with my bet being Garland. Playing both Mitchell and Garland in the backcourt is not going to work in the playoffs. Too exploitable.
Yeah, having 2 small guards looks like their primary issue.
Magic: Garland
Cavs: KCP, Anthony Black, Wendell Carter & the Magic’s #25 pick.
Mitchell is too small to be a SG