After the Cleveland Cavaliers disappointingly lost to the Indiana Pacers, there could be some reactionary voices saying to blow up the team. While the rumors are that the Cavaliers won’t go that far and tear it all down, there could be some risk in losing some key bench players.
Two standout players off the bench for Cleveland this season have been Ty Jerome and Sam Merrikk, who have been sparkplugs for an already strong group. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst writes in his recent column that it could be hard for the team to keep both or one due to some financial limitations.
“The Cavs are entering the second apron next season with two valued bench players, Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill, headed to unrestricted free agency,” Windhorst wrote. “They are in danger of losing one or both — and could face having to trade another player to re-sign them, even though team president Koby Altman said last week that team ownership has given him the green light to spend to keep the team together.”
“Once again, though, the challenge for Cleveland and other second apron teams isn’t just the balance sheet but the punitive penalties that rob the ability to manage rosters,” Windhorst continued. “Going deeper into the apron just makes it all that much harder to get out of it, which is guaranteed to be a forced reality at some point.”
No “major changes” coming to the Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) celebrates after hitting a three point basket with guard Sam Merrill (5) and forward Evan Mobley (4) during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Ken Blaze-Imagn
While it seems certain that the main stars for the Cavaliers are staying and have championship aspirations, one has to wonder what lateral moves can be made this offseason. Subsequently, where does that leave players like Jerome and Merrill, who have been huge for the team this past season, despite the unit leaving the playoffs early compared to expectations.
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However, if there is some component to take away, it’s that Cleveland is ready to run it back, as ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel says that no “major changes” are coming.
“The idea of sacrificing youth isn’t something that fits Cleveland’s agenda,” Siegel wrote. “Mobley and Garland are two players they believe in, and Allen is one of the positive leaders of the team. He is the guy who keeps everyone’s spirits high and has really helped build the internal brotherhood that exists. Major changes are not coming in Cleveland.”
The Cavaliers are looking to further improve after finishing with a 64-18 record, which put them first in the Eastern Conference, though they were eliminated by Indiana in the second round of the playoffs.