The Cleveland Cavaliers would like to re-sign guard Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill this offseason. Both Jerome and Merrill will be unrestricted free agents in July.
Despite Cavs front office head Koby Altman saying he wants to re-sign both bench guards, Cleveland might be in a tough spot to do so. Both Jerome and Merrill are coming off contracts that paid them near the veteran minimum this past season, which has them in line for bigger deals this summer.
Cleveland has only Early Bird rights for Jerome. That limits how much the Cavaliers can offer him in a new contract. That puts their offer in range of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, which is something several other team could offer to Jerome this offseason.
The Cavs have full Bird rights for Merrill, but he’s never made above the minimum in his career. He could be looking to cash in on a bigger deal for the first time.
With Cleveland already above the second apron without new deals for Jerome or Merrill, it’s unclear how much further into the tax and above the aprons the team will go. That could price the Cavaliers out of re-signing Jerome, Merrill or possibly even both.
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-103 on Thursday night in Game 2 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was presented the MVP trophy before the game, scored 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting.
“I feel like all my emotions were so high, but I was a little bit tired out there, especially at the start,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I was a little too juiced up. Special moment. I’m happy we won so I can really enjoy the last couple days and soak it up.”
Jalen Williams added 26 points and 10 rebounds, with Chet Holmgren adding 22 points.
Lu Dort was also named to the NBA’s first-team all-defense earlier on Thursday.
The Thunder have now won the opening two games by a combined total of 41 points.
Anthony Edwards finished with 32 points on 26 shots.
Chris Finch said that the Wolves lost the game in how they closed the first half.
“We didn’t close the half very well,” said Finch. “I thought if we close the half better then we don’t put ourselves on such a razor edge in the third.”
Game 3 is on Saturday.
