The Memphis Grizzlies haven’t used their mid-level exception to sign outside free agents since 2018. That changed when the team signed guard Ty Jerome in July.
Jerome, a combo guard and sixth man of the year candidate, will be expected to play a significant role in Memphis. He’ll likely come off the bench, but that’s exactly where he thrived for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season while they earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Kyle Anderson was the mid-level exception free agent the Grizzlies signed in 2018. That worked out well, considering Anderson’s play and vocal leadership helped spark a 56-win season in 2021-22.
Memphis is hoping it can hit again with the audition of Jerome.
Here are three things the Grizzlies need from Jerome.
Elite shooting
The Grizzlies added Jerome, but they lost Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard. Those are two of the best shooters in the NBA, and Memphis wasn’t exactly a scary 3-point shooting team.
Bane and Kennard helped Memphis turn the corner as an above-average shooting squad. Losing those two could hurt, but Jerome could minimize the damage.
While Jerome broke out last season, his shooting has always been an asset. He’s shot 38.1% overall on 3-pointers in six seasons.
Memphis will need that accuracy − and maybe an uptick in volume − to minimize the impact of losing Kennard and Bane. Jerome attempted 3.6 3-pointers per game last season. That’s a solid number considering his ability to use floaters, but Memphis needs elite shooters.
Two-way playmaking
Jerome is more of a combo guard in the NBA, but he played mostly on the ball in college. His career has been mixed with minutes at point and shooting guard. He averaged 3.4 assists for the Cavs last season in 19.9 minutes.
Bane and Kennard were good shooters, but they also were two of the team’s best perimeter playmakers.
But it’s not just offense where Jerome could make his playmaking impact. While he isn’t the fastest or most athletic defensively, his hands are where he makes his money. Jerome is prone to gambling while reaching to take the ball away from offensive players.
In Jaylen Wells and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Memphis has what should be two sound defenders with limited playmaking chops. Jerome could make his mark with his ability to create deflections and steals.
Swagger
Memphis is undergoing a structural change in its roster. While that happens, the team will need to find its identity. No matter what that identity ends up being, a certain level of swagger will need to be displayed.
Jerome’s game screams confidence. He shoots confident shots, and when he makes them, he won’t hesitate to let the opponents know.
The Grizzlies have gone away from their old trash-talking ways overall, but there’s nothing wrong with a little flair here and there to boost the energy, and that’s where Jerome comes into play.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.