The Cleveland Cavaliers will look a bit different next season without the likes of Isaac Okoro and Ty Jerome. Okoro was traded, and, according to Jerome, he similarly did not have much say in whether he stayed with the Cavs or not.
As free agency moratorium began, Jerome agreed to a three-year, $28 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, capitalizing the best year of his career, during which he averaged a career-high 12.5 points, shot 51.6% and 43.9% from the field and 3-point range, respectively, both career-best marks since he was drafted in 2019.
While there were some questions about whether Jerome would return to Cleveland, considering his obvious incoming pay raise, the guard said the Cavs made the choice easy for him.
“Cleveland, this past year will always hold a special place in my heart,” Jerome posted on his Instagram stories. “Although I was never presented with the option of returning nor did last season end how I wanted to, I will never forget all that this year brought.”
While it is understandable if the Cavs decided not to outbid potential suitors, Jerome was a crucial piece to Cleveland’s bench this past season, which makes it curious why the Cavs did not, if Jerome is truthful, extend some kind of offer to retain him.
However, Jerome did draw sharp criticism for his playoff performance. In the postseason, his shooting numbers dropped to 40.2% from the field and 38.9% on 3-pointers, and the final four games in the second-round series against the Indiana Pacers were especially poor.
After scoring 21 points and dishing out 8 assists in the Cavs’ Game 1 loss, Jerome went 1-for-14 from the field and scored 2 points in a 120-119 loss in Game 2. He scored 2 points again in Game 3, shooting 1-for-8 on field goals and 0-for-4 on 3s (just as he had in Game 2). He recovered somewhat in Games 4 and 5, both losses, scoring 7 and then 8 points as his playing time never surpassed 18 minutes.
With Memphis, Jerome will be stepping into a roster in flux; the Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane, did not re-sign Luke Kennard, and added Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the Bane trade.
In addition to the departure of Jerome and Okoro, the Cavs have acquired Lonzo Ball, re-signed sharpshooter Sam Merrill, and signed Larry Nance Jr., who played for the franchise from 2018 to 2021.
