The results are in, it’s final! Evan Mobley is your 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year! Winning this award at only 23, he’s one of the youngest ever to win the Hakeem Olajuwon trophy. However, his win might bring a lot of changes. Not just for Mobley himself but for the Cavs as well. Especially as far as one of his teammates is concerned. One who’s also up for an end-of-season award this year.
Evan Mobley’s win will bring him a lot of acclaim and new opportunities. However, there’s also plenty from his past that he can cash in on. Namely, a clause in his Cleveland Cavaliers contract that’ll earn him significantly more than he does now. You see, his rookie extension’s first-year salary was set to go up from 25% to 30% of the salary cap if he became the DPOY.
But these increases don’t just apply to the first year. Evan’s salary for each year on his contract is set to go up significantly. Instead of $38 million in 25/26, he’ll earn $46 million. For 26/27, he’ll earn $50 million instead of $41 million, and so on. By the final year of his contract, in 2029/30, Evan Mobley will earn a whopping $61 million in lieu of the $51 million he was originally slated to earn.
Significant financial implications with Evan Mobley being named DPOY. pic.twitter.com/DPkz921bIP
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) April 24, 2025
These increases have significant implications for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ finances. The Cavs now run the risk of exceeding the NBA’s second apron threshold. The amount projected for the threshold for next season is approximately $208 million.
As things stand, the Cavs are just below it, with them set to pay a combined $207.5 million to their players in 2025/26. However, this new contract for Mobley would shatter the $208 million ceiling. That would open up the Cavs to harsh penalties such as limitations on their abilities to trade, draft, or even acquire free agents.
And all this could mean that the Cavaliers will need to move around some personnel to free up some of their salary cap. And a player who’s up for the Sixth Man of the Year could be on the chopping block.
Evan Mobley’s DPOY win casts doubt over Ty Jerome’s future
Just recently, Ty Jerome showed the NBA why he deserves to be in contention for the Sixth Man of the Year honor. He put 28 points past the Miami Heat after coming off the bench in Game 1. He shot at a 66.7% clip from the field and 62.5% from beyond the arc. Astounding stats that prove one thing. He’d start for any other team in the East. And after the complications that Mobley’s DPOY win brings, he might just be doing that soon.
The thing is, 2024/25 is the final Ty Jerome’s contract. But the complication arises in the Cavs extending his contract in the coming offseason. With the expenses added by the kickers in Mobley’s contract, they probably won’t be able to re-sign Jerome. That would mean he leaves the club as a free agent at the end of this season.
Feb 28, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) tries to get away from Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and forward Sam Hauser (30) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
And what a loss that would be for the Cavs. Especially if he becomes the Sixth Man of the Year this season. Moreover, Jerome is on a $2 million a year contract with the Cavs. Even if his demands go up after winning the aforementioned award, he will still be a steal for any club looking to sign him.
All in all, even in what should be a happy time in Cleveland, the Cavs are in a tough spot. How they’ll make it out is anyone’s guess. The coming months will be very telling for both Ty Jerome and the Cavaliers. But Evan Mobley? He can revel in the glory of his accolade and expect to become a much richer man next season!
The post Evan Mobley’s DPOY Win Puts Cavs in Jeopardy as Uncertainty Looms Over 27-YO Cleveland Star’s Future appeared first on EssentiallySports.
