CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ty Jerome’s time with the Cavs has come to an end.
Jerome reportedly agreed to a three-year, $28 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies shortly after the NBA free agency negotiating period began Monday evening.
Cleveland signed the journeyman Jerome to a team-friendly two-year deal in 2023. While Jerome appeared in just two games during his debut season because of a severe ankle injury, he returned to full strength in 2024-25, enjoying a breakout season in which he finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting and effectively played his way out of the Cavaliers’ desired price range.
In 70 games with Cleveland, Jerome averaged 12.5 points on 51.6% from the field and 43.9% from 3-point range to go with 3.4 assists. A fixture of the every-night rotation and the team’s most reliable reserve, Jerome appeared in all nine playoff games.
In the days leading up to free agency, there was a pessimistic tone coming from Cleveland about its chances of bringing back Jerome _and_ sharpshooter Sam Merrill. With the cap-strapped Cavs agreeing to a four-year, $38 million contract with Merrill on Saturday, it made re-signing Jerome, one of the most coveted free agent point guards, more unlikely.
Prior to Saturday’s agreement, the Cavs were projected to have nearly $240 million in salary commitments for next season — a number that puts them more than $21 million over the league’s restrictive second apron and deep into the luxury tax.
In anticipation of Jerome’s potential departure, a few hours before finalizing negotiations with Merrill, the Cavs agreed to a Saturday afternoon trade with the Chicago Bulls, acquiring supersized guard — and 2017 second-overall pick — Lonzo Ball in exchange for swingman Isaac Okoro. A few nights earlier, Cleveland selected combo guard Tyrese Proctor with the No. 49 pick, adding another layer of security, protection, insurance and depth at the guard spot.
Given the Cavaliers’ current salary cap situation, they can’t offer more than the veteran’s minimum to any outside free agent. When the moratorium period began Monday at 6 p.m., the Cavs were looking at opportunities to fortify their bench with low-cost additions at multiple positions.