Grizzlies Believed To Be In Lead For Ty Jerome

Ty Jerome backing up Ja Morant? That seems to be a possibility, as rival teams were pointing to the Memphis Grizzlies as the organization “at the forefront” of a Jerome pursuit on the eve of NBA free agency, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Jerome is an unrestricted free agent after a banner regular season with the 64-18 Cleveland Cavaliers. His return to Cleveland appears murky at best after the Cavs orchestrated a trade for Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball, who just happens to play Jerome’s position.

According to reports, the Cavs made that deal with the expectation that Jerome would sign elsewhere.

“Numerous rival teams have pinpointed Memphis as the team poised to enter Monday’s business at the forefront of the Ty Jerome chase,” Stein wrote. “Jerome, though, was intent on securing a deal that starts at the full $14.1 million midlevel exception after a breakout season in Cleveland, so it remains to be seen how much the Grizzlies are actually willing to pay Jerome given their well-chronicled determination to maintain sufficient financial flexibility to renegotiate-and-extend the contract of Jaren Jackson Jr. and match any offers for restricted free agent Santi Aldama.

“League sources say Memphis spent the weekend actively trying to shed the contract of newly acquired Cole Anthony, who joined the Grizzlies as part of the Desmond Bane trade with Orlando, by finding a trade partner willing to absorb his salary.”

Along with the Grizzlies, Jerome is reportedly drawing interest from the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets. However, the Hornets may have moved on following the trade for Collin Sexton with the Jazz on Sunday. Utah received center Jusuf Nurkic in return, suggesting it also may have an opening at guard.

Memphis finished 48-34 before being swept by the eventual NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.

Jerome, 27, is coming off a season in which he averaged 12.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 70 games. He was a finalist for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, playing a critical role off the bench.