Grizzlies: Welcome to Memphis Ty Jerome

Besides bringing back their own guys, the Memphis Grizzlies just made their biggest splash of free agency… signing veteran point guard Ty Jerome.

The Memphis Grizzlies have made a move that says just as much about culture as it does about basketball. By signing Ty Jerome to a 3-year, $28 million deal, the Grizzlies aren’t just adding a capable guard, they’re doubling down on an identity. A “true Memphian.” A “dawg.” The kind of guy you want with the ball in his hands when the game gets ugly. And judging by how ugly things got last night, this team needed exactly that.

Let’s start with the basketball. Jerome is coming off a sneaky-good year in Cleveland, averaging 12.5 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting a blistering 51.6% from the field and 43.9% from three. Those aren’t just solid number. . . they’re “wait, why didn’t we sign this guy earlier?” numbers. He showed up when it mattered most too, dropping 28 points in his playoff debut and nearly hitting 30 in a Game 1 shootout against Miami. That’s not role player energy. That’s “lead the second unit or step into a starting gig and not blink” energy.

For Memphis, this is about more than stats. The Grizzlies have been building toward a new era ever since the old one crumbled under a mix of injuries, underperformance, and...let’s say, attitude misfires. Jerome fits the new blueprint perfectly. He plays smart, stays ready, doesn’t take plays off, and most importantly: he plays like he’s got something to prove. That’s what the front office has been chasing this offseason: guys with grit. The kind of player who shows up in the fourth quarter with a bloody lip and still calls for the ball.

And let’s not forget fit. With Ja Morant still a question mark on the injury front and Memphis’s bench struggling to create offense without him, Jerome fills a massive need. He can operate as a secondary ball handler, stretch the floor, and provide a calming presence that this young team has sorely lacked. His 6’5” frame gives them flexibility in lineups, allowing the Grizzlies to go big or small without sacrificing defense or spacing. He should perfectly complement the second unit with guys like Santi Aldama, Scottie Pippen, and Vince Williams needing a captain. He will also play well with the starters if needed. His time on the court with Jaren Jackson Jr. will be a defensive clinic. 

But again, it’s not just about the numbers. Memphis has been craving guys who fit the city. People who play the way Beale Street sounds. The kind of guy who might get a tech, not because he mouthed off, but because he dived headfirst into the scorer’s table chasing a loose ball. . . and then mouths off. Jerome may not be from Tennessee, but the way he plays screams “Memphis.” This is a fanbase that wants heart. Toughness. Some dog in the fight. And after last night’s lifeless performance, where nobody seemed willing to take the moment by the throat, adding someone with Jerome’s mentality feels less like a signing and more like an intervention.

The Grizzlies needed a dawg. And now they’ve got one.