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As NBA free agency rolls on, the deals are coming in quickly. The latest news is that guard Ty Jerome is signing with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jerome had a breakout season with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season. After playing only two games in his first season with the Cavs, he became their most reliable bench scoring option. The combo guard averaged 12.5 PPG in under 20 minutes per game. Jerome was a great source of bench offense as Cleveland heavily staggered Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
In Memphis, Jerome will fill some of the holes that Desmond Bane’s trade left behind. He could come off the bench and lead the second unit as a sixth man if the Grizzlies start Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. KCP is the better defender and a true off-ball wing, and would fit better next to Ja Morant. But it’s possible that Jerome ends up closing a lot of games next to Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis is valuing versatile players this offseason. Jerome joins a team that re-signed Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama to extensions. I also view this deal as a value for Memphis. Jerome has a valuable skill set that the Grizzlies need, and he is still young. Ty Jerome will be a significant rotation piece that Memphis fans will come to love.
