Cavs ‘Hopeful’ of Re-Signing Ty Jerome, Sam Merrill, Koby Altman Says

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — This one will come as no surprise to the Cavaliers community, but president of basketball operations Koby Altman confirmed that the organization intends to pursue Ty Jerome in free agency.

Jerome, 27, is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged career-highs across the board in helping the Cavs to win a 64-18 record and No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. He appeared in a career-best 70 games, averaging 12.5 points, 3.4 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 51.6% from the field, including 43.9% on 3-pointers.

Along the way, Jerome merited strong consideration for NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

Now, he becomes an unrestricted free agent, capable of signing with any team with the Cavs due no compensation if he does. The same is true of fellow guard Sam Merrill, who also played a significant role under first-year coach Kenny Atkinson.

“We’re hopeful,” Altman said of re-signing Jerome and Merrill. “The good news is those guys are gonna do really well for themselves. … We’ll see what the marketplace (has in store).”

Altman addressed the impending free agents during his season-ending address on the state of the team. He stressed that, while disappointed in the ending, he believes in the nucleus of the roster. It appears the intention is to run it back with most of the main guys.

Jerome and Merrill were certainly part of that. Jerome is likely in line for a significant pay raise wherever he ends up, and Merrill at least a pay raise. 

“We want to lean even more into what we’re building,” Altman said. “I believe there’s a championship window that’s wide open. We’re certainly not gonna break up the group.”

Neither Jerome nor Merrill offered any clues as to what free agency holds immediately after the second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers.

Merrill, 29, appeared in a career-high 71 games, averaging 7.2 points and shooting 37.2% on threes.