Ty Jerome Reportedly Expected to Leave Cavs in NBA FA After Lonzo Ball Trade

The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly trading for Lonzo Ball has made Ty Jerome returning to the organization in free agency unlikely, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

Per Fischer, the Cavaliers acquiring Ball from the Chicago Bulls on Saturday is a "signal" that the team anticipates losing Jerome as a free agent.

Cleveland sent Isaac Okoro to the Bulls in exchange for Ball, who has two years and $20 million remaining on his contract.

Jerome is "said to be seeking" a contract that starts at the full $14.1 million midlevel exception as he prepares to hit unrestricted free agency, per Fischer.

The 27-year-old is coming off a breakout 2024-25 campaign, averaging a career-high 12.5 points off the bench for a Cavs squad that finished with a 64-18 record. He also dished out 3.4 assists and pulled down 2.5 rebounds on a nightly basis, shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 43.9 percent from three-point territory.

Jerome finished No. 3 in 2025 Sixth Man of the Year voting.

He was unable to carry momentum from his strong regular-season performance into the playoffs, though. Jerome particularly struggled against the Indiana Pacers, averaging 8.0 points per game while shooting 30.0 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from behind the arc in the second-round series loss.