From a basketball perspective, it makes sense. Ball isn’t the same player who was the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft. He may not even be on the court much in the 2025-26 season, given his long and rather scary injury history.

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

The deal cements the Cavaliers’ point guard depth chart of Darius Garland, newly acquired Lonzo Ball, Craig Porter Jr. and Merrill — as the expectation is that the franchise will lose 2025 Sixth Man of the Year candidate Ty Jerome in free agency, sources said.