Darius Garland‘s toe surgery could put more pressure on the Cavaliers to re-sign back-up point guard Ty Jerome despite the high penalty they’d have to pay in luxury taxes, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
Garland is likely to miss preseason and some regular-season games as he rehabs from the toe surgery he underwent on Monday.
Jerome, who served as Cleveland’s backup point guard this season, is one of the more intriguing free agents on a limited market. He is coming off a career year in which he was a finalist for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.
Jerome played a huge role in the Cavaliers’ regular-season success that buoyed them to the top seed in Eastern Conference playoffs. Jerome averaged 12.5 points and 3.4 assists while shooting 43.9 percent on his 3-point attempts in 70 regular-season appearances. His playing time diminished during the second round against Indiana due to shooting woes, defensive issues and turnovers.
He is projected to get offers with a first-year salary at or near the projected non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $14.1MM.
Jerome, who made $2.6MM this season, is eligible for a four-year deal worth $63MM from Cleveland, which holds his Early Bird rights. However, the $14.3MM salary he would make with Cleveland would cost the Cavs $80MM of luxury taxes since they’re projected to operate above the second tax apron next season.
Being above the second apron severely limits teams ability to sign quality free agents and make trades, which could give more incentive for Cleveland to retain Jerome.
The Spurs, Mavericks, Nuggets and Warriors are among the teams who could emerge as possible suitors for the 27-year old, who had previous stints with Phoenix, Oklahoma City and Golden State.
Nah this is why you got Craig Porter Jr. He’ll be the perfect backup qb for Garland until he comes back. They can sign someone cheaper like Monte Morris or Kyle Lowry to replace Ty Jerome (who himself could head to Philly to replace Lowry)… link to m.youtube.com
Kyle Lowry is 39 years old and just shot 35% from the field this season. He’ll be lucky to get an end of bench role, let alone any decent minutes with a contender like Cleveland
An end of the bench role is what he’d get in Cleveland as well. He’d be the 3rd string of on a team that also has Donovan Mitchell. Not a huge role. And tho it would be great if he hits a bunch of shots, it’s not shot making that you’re primarily signing him for. He’s a great leader & can lead a 2nd unit for a few weeks until Garland returns.
Porter is not remotely able to give the Cavs the production they got from Jerome. He’s a temporary stopgap at best. Maybe not even that. Even if they re-sign Jerome, it’s about time to upgrade from Porter.
No Warriors stay away from under 6’6″ players please.
Sign Ben Simmons to be Steph’s backup.
I think signing Ty was a necessity regardless of Garland’s injury. This post season showed how we need to have a4 man set of guards and bigs. the attrition is to severe to not have 2 capable backups. one as the primary 3rd guy to spell the two starters and then a reliable WHO GOT ACTUALLY TRY TO PLAY 15 MINUTES A GAME so that you have depth. Pacers have shown how much depth a good team should have. I wonder where Emani Bates fits into things?