With more cap flexibility than any team in the league, the Brooklyn Nets are entering the offseason positioned to reshape their roster. The goal? Add players who bring consistency, efficiency, and value beyond the box score. Sometimes, that starts with the right kind of player, someone who doesn’t need the spotlight to make a difference. Someone like Ty Jerome.
Last season, Jerome went from a forgotten name to a foundational piece on a 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers team. Coming off a year where he barely saw the floor, Jerome carved out a permanent spot in the rotation, becoming one of the most efficient and reliable guards in the league. He averaged 12.5 points per game, shot 43.9% from three, and routinely controlled the tempo off the bench with a calm, steady hand.
And when the Cavaliers' offense soared to elite levels during the regular season, Jerome was right in the middle of it, keeping possessions alive, knocking down big shots, and finding teammates in rhythm. He finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting for a reason: his impact was real, even if it was quiet.
Why he fits in Brooklyn
The Nets’ backcourt is wide open. Especially with D’Angelo Russell up for a contract, and as of now, there’s no clear answer at point guard. Brooklyn doesn’t need another high-usage, shot-hunting guard. They already have one in Cam Thomas.
Thomas is a gifted scorer who thrives with the ball in his hands, capable of getting hot and taking over games. But he also needs the right kind of backcourt partner, someone who can space the floor, stay composed under pressure, and make quick, clean decisions without disrupting the rhythm. Ty Jerome is that partner.
He’s the kind of guard who makes others better without needing touches to stay involved. That’s exactly the type of player who elevates someone like Cam Thomas, giving him the freedom to be aggressive, while still keeping the offense balanced and under control.
What if the Nets draft a guard instead?
Even if Brooklyn uses one of its draft picks on a point guard, say, someone like Kon Knueppel, that doesn’t change Jerome’s value. In fact, it enhances it. Young guards take time. They make mistakes. They need to learn how to run NBA offenses. Having a veteran like Jerome in the room, someone who can show what steady, mistake-free basketball looks like, is the kind of move that accelerates a rookie’s development instead of blocking it.
A smart bet with upside
There’s also the contract factor. Jerome’s next deal is projected to land in that perfect range, high enough to move in a trade, low enough to never be a burden. In today’s NBA, that’s gold. Whether Brooklyn is competing or retooling, Jerome’s contract gives them options. He’s the kind of player contenders always want. So even if he’s not a long-term piece, he holds long-term value.