On July 14, the Memphis Grizzlies officially announced they reached an agreement with guard Ty Jerome on a three-year contract valued at $28 million. This deal, confirmed by the team’s public relations department, marks Jerome’s first significant NBA contract. The agreement includes a third-year player option and was made under the room exception space available to the Grizzlies.
Deal Details and Context
The contract was reported on June 30 by Shams Charania of The Athletic, who noted the inclusion of the third-year player option. The agreement contributes to an active offseason for Memphis, which had already secured new contracts with Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama, and Cam Spencer. The total contract value approaches the roughly $27.7 million permissible under the room exception rules across three seasons.
Ty Jerome’s Performance Leading to the Contract
Memphis was considered the frontrunner in signing Jerome, who delivered a strong performance during the previous season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 70 games, he averaged 12.5 points, 3.4 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals within just under 20 minutes per game. His shooting percentages were impressive, with a .516 field goal percentage, .439 from three-point range, and an .872 free-throw rate.
Despite Jerome’s solid showing in Cleveland’s first-round playoff series against Miami, his struggle during the second-round loss to Indiana likely impacted his contract value. His defensive challenges may have contributed to the more limited financial terms relative to expectations.
Comparison and Significance of the Contract
Jerome’s compensation of approximately $27.7 million over three years is surprising given that another backup guard, Sam Merrill, signed a four-year, $38 million contract around the same time. Although Merrill is recognized as the superior defender, Jerome’s offensive contributions were notably higher last season.
Approaching his 28th birthday on July 8, this contract represents the most substantial payday of Ty Jerome’s career, providing him financial security and a fresh opportunity with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Our Reader’s Queries
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