The Cavaliers enter a vital offseason coming off of their second consecutive second-round exit in the NBA playoffs.
Their flexibility is hampered by being in the NBA’s second apron, meaning they have to maximize any opportunities they do have when it comes to re-signing their own free agents or bringing in players to construct the roster heading into 2025-26.
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Due to some unfortunate circumstances around the league, the East looks to be wide open. The Indiana Pacers could be without Tyrese Haliburton and the Boston Celtics could be without Jayson Tatum, both due to brutal Achilles injuries, through next year’s playoffs, leaving the Cavs and New York Knicks as betting favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals. The Milwaukee Bucks are also facing a difficult road to the Finals with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future uncertain and Dame Lillard dealing with his own Achilles injury.
Check back here all summer for Cavs free agency news.
Will the Cavs re-sign Ty Jerome?
The first order of business is for the Cavaliers and Ty Jerome to make a decision on his future. Jerome is an unrestricted free agent and set to make a major pay raise over the $2.5 million he made last season.
Cavs give guard Sam Merrill new contract
The Cavs are bringing back Sam Merrill. The team on June 28 agreed to re-signed the guard to a four-year contract worth $38 million.
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Last season Merrill shot 37.2% on 3-point shots, averaging 7.2 points per game.
Cavaliers trade for Lonzo Ball, dealing Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls
The Cavs struck an agreement June 28 to trade small forward Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for point guard Lonzo Ball, an NBA source confirmed for the Beacon Journal.
The move comes less than a year after the Cavs gave Okoro a three-year, $33 million contract extension in September 2024.
Ball could give the Cavs a significant boost if he stays healthy after being plagued by injuries.
Cavs trade: Cavaliers trade for Lonzo Ball, sending Isaac Okoro to Bulls
Cavs draft Tyrese Proctor, Saliou Niang in second round
The Cavs used the 49th overall pick of the NBA draft to take Tyrese Proctor of Duke and the 58th pick to select Saliou Niang from Trento in Italy on June 26. Proctor is a guard. Niang is a wing. Proctor could find a spot in the rotation depending on how free agency goes and his own development, while Niang will continue to play in Europe for the foreseeable future.
Apr 4, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Tyrese Proctor (5) during a practice session for the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
When does NBA Free Agency start? Key dates
The NBA offseason will pick up in activity beginning with June 30.
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NBA Free agency negotiations begins June 30 at 6 p.m.
The free agency moratorium begins at 12:01 a.m. the morning of July 1.
At noon on July 6, teams can officially sign new free agents.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs free agency rumors, news live updates: Tracking latest reports