With Darius Garland injured, Jerome scored 21 factors on 20 pictures in Recreation 1, then went 1-for-14 in Recreation 2 and was the defender who misplaced observe of Tyrese Haliburton on the Pacers’ sport winner. Jerome bought off to a different sluggish begin in Recreation 3, taking pictures 1-for-8, and at that time coach Kenny Atkinson had seen sufficient. Jerome played just 13 minutes, by far his lowest total of the postseason, as Sam Merrill passed him on the depth chart. By Game 5, Jerome couldn’t get off the bench until the second half. Already going through monetary pressures as a projected second apron group subsequent season, the Cavaliers would possibly now conclude that Jerome isn’t price retaining if he can’t even keep on the ground of their most necessary video games. And Jerome’s struggles within the playoff stress cooker may also scare off potential suitors who would in any other case be fascinated by seeing what he might do with extra touches. -via ESPN / Could 14, 2025
