No, they can’t technically pool their delegates.
Cruz can though, issue a statement saying he is (1) dropping out of the race for president (which frees his delegates to vote for anyone) and (2) say he wants all of his former delegates to vote for Trump.
They will probably go into the convention with over 80% of the delegates between them. For grins, let’s say Trump has 45% and Cruz 35%. Trump’s 45% are bound on the first ballot. That means they only need enough of Curz’s delegates to go along with the plan to add 5% + 1 to Trump’s totals to secure the nomination.
I’m not sure how loyal Cruz’s delegates are to Cruz. But I suspect there will be enough delegates loyal to Cruz (over the party machinery) to make the plan work.
And, the plan will be out in the open. Vote for Trump to ensure a Trump/Cruz ticket vs a non-Trump/non-Cruz ticket.
Not as I understand it. The delegates are committed to vote for Cruz regardless. They are bound committed delegates for the 1st vote in the convention. After the 1st vote they could vote for whomever they desire, but then so could bound committed delegates for Trump. Bound delegates are not necessarily supporters of the candidate they are bound to.
Perhaps I am not reading it right but, you can see for yourself. What Is A Bound Delegate? GOP Rules Mean Their Votes Could Be A Total Waste