After the Cleveland Cavs All-Star Darius Garland underwent successful toe surgery this week, many wonder what kind of pressure that puts on the front office to sign backup Ty Jerome, given that Garland could miss significant time. Jerome turned in his most impressive 2024-25 campaign, averaging 12.5 points on 51.6% shooting, including 43.9% from deep, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
As Jerome enters free agency with the Cavs’ payroll on the verge of entering the second apron, it’ll be interesting to see how the front office proceeds over the summer as Garland’s surgery adds a new wrinkle, per The Athletic’s Joe Vardon.
“Garland’s status — the team gave him time to try and heal on his own before pushing for surgery — could also put the Cavs under more pressure to re-sign backup point guard Ty Jerome,” Vardon said. “He’s eligible for a four-year deal worth $63 million; the $14.3 million salary he would make under contract in Cleveland next year would cost the Cavs $80 million because of luxury taxes, according to an analysis by ESPN.”
Jerome finished third for the 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year award.
Cavs rumors: Brian Windhorst’s Darius Garland trade statement
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ESPN’s Brian Windhorst spoke on the Cavs trading Darius Garland this summer. He doesn’t see it happening, given the fact that the front office has invested their future in Garland, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley as their core. Windhorst says the Cavs’ All-Star trio still has plenty to prove next season, per ESPN Cleveland 850.
“Obviously, Darius Garland is not getting traded,” Windhorst said. “Here’s the thing, this is the nuance, the nuance is that the Cavs are going to pick up the phone because once July 1st hits, they go into the second apron. They are completely shut down from making a lot of moves. So, there’s a nuance between we are taking phone calls and we are looking to make trades.”
Chances are, the Cavs won’t be trying to trade Garland anytime soon.
“If anything, the fact that Garland’s injury was so severe that he needs this significant, really kind of serious surgery, that is just an indication of how limited he was in that series,” Windhorst added. “So, if anything, if you’re the Cavs, it stinks that we had to go through this playoffs with one of our All-Stars wounded, and let’s maybe try to see what happens when our All-Stars are not wounded.”
Still, it’ll be interesting to see how the Cavs approach the offseason.
