Ty Jerome has significantly exceeded expectations since making his Grizzlies debut. It is unfortunate that he hasn't been able to play more due to the calf strain he suffered in preseason. But the one clear thing is that Jerome is an extremely talented scorer and a dream fit for Tuomas Iisalo's offense.
Signed to a three-year, $28 million contract using the room exception, Ty Jerome has significantly outperformed the value on his contract. I personally believe that Jerome would be a very logical veteran to have as the Grizzlies enter the early stages of their rebuild. However, the idea of selling high on Ty Jerome appears to be a growing conversation.
On yesterday's episode of Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie, Sam Vecenie ranked the tanking teams best positioned past this season. He focused a lot on Zach Edey and some of the promising young players on the roster. But Vecenie's comments about Ty Jerome should raise eyebrows, and Memphis fans should not take it lightly.
Could the Grizzlies sell high on him?
Grizzlies fans already know, but Vecenie also acknowledged how well Jerome has been playing this season. Jerome is under contract for next season, but it is important to note that the third year on his deal is a player option. With how well he has played and how short-term his deal is, there is logic to the Grizzlies potentially selling high on him.
Sam Vecenie stated the following about Ty Jerome's current situation in Memphis:
"He gives them a real potential trade target, or like trade-value player to move either in the summer or next year if they're still not contending."Sam Vecenie
It is already clear that the Ja Morant trade talks will intensify once again this summer. However, the Grizzlies will likely have to shed some guard depth in order to strengthen the frontcourt behind Zach Edey. The statuses of players like Ja Morant and Walter Clayton Jr. will be worth monitoring. Suddenly, Ty Jerome joins the conversation and would arguably be the most highly coveted trade asset for the Grizzlies.
It's a conversation absolutely worth having
Personally, I am currently opposed to a Ty Jerome trade; however, it is difficult to ignore the logic behind trading him. Jerome is already 28 years old, and it is unclear if he would re-sign in Memphis if they did not make enough progress in their rebuild. The Grizzlies could get quality draft capital to further add to their absolute war chest of draft picks.
On the flip side, this is a league where it is never a bad thing to have capable three-level scoring. With how cheap Jerome's contract is, the Grizzlies could still reap the benefits of his production at such a low cost. Given how well Jerome fits Iisalo's offense, it could make plenty of sense to look for a way to keep him in Memphis beyond his current contract.
Even though most of this Grizzlies offseason will focus on the NBA Draft and Ja Morant's future, Ty Jerome's name could be one worth watching this summer and even at next year's trade deadline if he starts the year in Memphis.