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.