Last offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired guard Ty Jerome as a free agent to help fill out their bench. The University of Virginia standout played as a backup for the Golden State Warriors and was brought in to do the same in Cleveland. However, after just two games, Jerome went down with a mysterious knee injury he would not return from all year. He’ll look to regain his role this year fresh off that injury in 2024.
Cavs Guard to Impact Bench After Season-Long Injury
The Cavs are quite clear about who their starting guards will be. Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have been in tandem since 2022 and are one of the most explosive backcourts in the NBA. The addition of Jerome last season was to provide solid minutes for the duo. But, with his injury, the Cavs were forced to look elsewhere for guard minutes. Veteran Caris LeVert shouldered most of the load as the sixth man. Additionally, rookie Craig Porter Jr. found his stride filling in for Jerome. In 51 games, including six starts, he averaged 5.6 points, 2.3 assists, and 2.1 rebounds.
Jerome’s Fit
Back from injury, it will be up to Jerome to retake the backup point guard spot from the talented rookie. He is averaging 7.0 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in his five seasons as a pro. At six-foot-five, Jerome will give plenty of size to the Cleveland backcourt that lacks it. Garland and Mitchell are both under six-foot-four, which limits their defensive capabilities. Also, Jerome has been a league-average three-point shooter, shooting 35.2%. The Cavs have struggled with perimeter shooting off the bench in recent years, and having Jerome will only help that. As long as Mitchell and Garland stay healthy, Jerome will be exclusively used off the bench this year.
While Jerome seems ready to go for the beginning of the season this year, his injury concerns will not go away. During his career, the guard has yet to surpass the 50-game mark for a season. He has had a nagging knee problem since his days in Phoenix in 2019. The surgery he underwent this offseason was done to prevent knee issues in the future. Jerome will need to keep a clean bill of health if he wants to stay in the Cavs rotation for the long term. The 27-year-old is in the final year of the two-year, $5 million deal he signed last year.
The Last Word
While his impact may be two years in the making, Jerome’s addition to the Cavs bench will be a welcome sight. Whether he or Porter Jr. will receive most of the backup point guard minutes from the start of the year is to be seen. New head coach Kenny Atkinson will have a decision to make. He could have both players share the minutes to begin the season. Despite his injury history, Jerome is a productive player on the court. If he has a good season this year, he could receive an extension from the Cleveland front office next summer.
