Ty Jerome has been nothing short of sensational for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. After missing most of last year due to an ankle injury, the Cavs guard has emerged as a critical bench contributor. His 29-point outburst against the New Orleans Pelicans, including a jaw-dropping 20-point second quarter, exemplifies his meteoric rise.
Cavaliers Could Lose ‘Unlikely Savior’ Ty Jerome
Jerome’s transformation is remarkable. Once seen as a pass-first guard, he has redefined himself as a lethal scorer. He’s averaging 11.8 points per game on shooting splits of 59.2/55.1/86.2. His pull-up threes and deadly floater make him a two-level threat. Jerome converts 60% of his short-midrange shots. Even more astonishing, he is hitting 56.5% of pull-up threes and 53.8% of catch-and-shoot attempts.
“It’s the scoring,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Ty was always kind of a pass-first, setup guy, cerebral, connector, and so the aggressiveness to score and not only the jump shot. I don’t know what his shot distribution looks like, but it looks like 3s and rim. The way he’s finishing is phenomenal. It’s just a little bit out of nowhere, quite honestly, especially for a guy that was on the shelf last year and injured”
A Perfect Storm of Confidence
Jerome credits his success to his work ethic and the support of his teammates and coaches. The Cavaliers’ coaching staff encourages players to take risks offensively, giving Jerome the confidence to thrive.
“The amount of work I put in and the belief everyone has in me—it’s a perfect storm,” Jerome explained. “If I pass up a shot, I’ll get yelled at.”
Jerome’s teammates, like Georges Niang, also marvel at his mental toughness. Recovering from a season-ending injury is challenging, but Jerome has returned stronger.
“For him to come back and be phenomenal—it’s amazing,” Niang said.
The Value of a Cheap Contract
Jerome’s breakout couldn’t come at a better—or worse—time for the Cavaliers. He is earning just $2.56 million this season, with a cap hit of only 1.82%. For a team with championship aspirations, having contributors on team-friendly deals is critical.
However, Jerome’s impact comes during a contract year. The Cavaliers signed him to a two-year deal, which means they cannot extend him. Jerome is headed to free agency no matter what, and his market value will likely soar. The Cavaliers face a financial conundrum, under the NBA’s early bird rights rule, they can only offer Jerome 175% of his current salary ($4.37 million) or 105% of the league’s average salary ($12.5 million). If Jerome’s market value exceeds those figures, Cleveland will struggle to retain him.
Second Apron Complications
The Cavaliers’ financial situation complicates matters further. With Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell’s extensions kicking in, Cleveland is projected to have at least $191.97 million on the books for 2025-26. The second apron is projected at $207.8 million, leaving the Cavaliers just $15 million of flexibility.
This room must cover other free agents like Caris LeVert and Sam Merrill, making it unlikely the team can afford all three. Jerome’s breakout performance has turned him into a luxury the Cavaliers may not be able to keep.
A Market for Ty Jerome
Although few teams will have cap space in the 2025 free agency market, Jerome could still attract significant interest. Teams could pursue him through a sign-and-trade, a scenario that would let Cleveland receive assets in return.
The issue for Cleveland isn’t just offering Jerome a fair deal. It’s about staying under the second apron to avoid harsh penalties. The Cavaliers must carefully weigh their financial priorities to remain competitive while managing the long-term health of the roster.
The Clock is Ticking
Ty Jerome has become an “unlikely savior” for the Cavaliers this season, but his future in Cleveland is uncertain. His breakout year has proven he belongs in the NBA, but it also raises questions about how Cleveland can retain him. For now, Jerome’s focus will remain on helping the Cavaliers contend. Whether he’ll be part of their long-term plans is a question the front office must answer soon.
