With the NBA season creeping to a close, almost every team has shifted to offseason mode, and rumors are starting to fly left and right, with the latest being that the Nuggets are interested in impending free agent Ty Jerome.
Jerome had a breakout season for the Cavaliers in 2024-25, averaging 12.5 points and 3.4 assists per game in just under 20 minutes per game. He also shot 44% from the three-point line on almost 4 attempts per game, and his impact on a great Cavs season helped him finish in third place for the league's 6th Man of the Year Award.
The Cavaliers were paying Jerome just $2.5 million this season, and he is about to hit the market as one of the hottest free agents, due for a large pay raise. The Cavs would love to keep him, but that may be impossible with their financial situation and the likely interest around the league.
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com has already reported that the Mavericks, Warriors, and Spurs are possible suitors, and also, interestingly enough, heard from sources that the Nuggets have shown interest in adding Jerome this offseason.
Adding Jerome would require major cost-cutting by Nuggets
This is interesting because, as of right now, the Nuggets will only be able to offer the taxpayer midlevel exception and minimum contracts this summer. The TPMLE should be around $5.5 million, and Jerome will be looking for a deal that earns him at least twice that amount annually.
The Nuggets obviously realize they are never going to be able to add Jerome with their current salary cap situation, so by showing interest, they are indicating that they are at least considering sending out significant money this offseason via trade.
Currently, Denver is slated to owe $162.8 million to four players, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr., next season. That’s quite a problem considering the salary cap for the 2025-26 season is projected to be $154.6 million, with the luxury tax at $187.9 million, and the first and second aprons starting at $195.9 million and $207.8 million, respectively.
Time to trade a core 4 player
As sad as it may seem to some, it’s time to get rid of one of those core four players. Frankly, they aren’t good enough to take up that much of the salary cap, as we’ve seen in the past two seasons. The Nuggets need more depth and versatility around Nikola Jokic, and the only way to get there is by trading Murray, Gordon, or MPJ.
Perhaps the Nuggets will try to pull off some sort of sign-and-trade deal that sends out one of those three players and brings back Jerome, but that seems highly unlikely and extremely complicated.
So, if Denver really wants a shot at Jerome, that would require freeing up at least the non-taxpayer midlevel exception, which would require trading multiple members of that core four group. That might seem crazy, but the team may have to make drastic moves to reshape this roster for the future.
Interest in Jerome signifies that ownership recognizes this reality and is prepared to make moves that may be unpopular this offseason. Everything is going to be on the table this summer, as it should be. Changes are needed, and it looks like they are coming.