Ty Jerome's breakout could make Grizzlies a legit threat in the Western Conference

Things aren't all bad for the Memphis Grizzlies in the post Ja Morant/Jaren Jackson Jr. era. 

The Grizzlies sit with a 6-1 record after a close 135-134 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night. They are one out of five teams to have only one loss thus far, and it can be contributed to a plethora of reasons. One of those reasons is NBA journeyman Ty Jerome. 

Ty Jerome is a legitimate MVP Candidate

The 29-year-old shooting guard has been one of the surprising stories to emerge this early in the 2026-27 campaign. Jerome was a part of the infamous Virginia Cavaliers team that were upset in the NCAA tournament by UMBC in 2018. The 2019 first-round pick spent time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors before signing with Memphis in 2025. 

After Memphis traded franchise cornerstone pieces in Morant and Jackson Jr., it was evident that the Grizzlies were destined to be in a rebuilding phase. However, the emergence of Jerome becoming a legitimate No.1 option in Memphis has the NBA community buzzing. 

Jerome is averaging 28.2 points (sixth in NBA) and 5.7 assists while shooting 42.1% from three-point range. Moreover, the Grizzlies average the most points per game with 123, respectively. 

The New York native's unexpected rise this season could have him in MVP and/or All-NBA discussions if this level of play continues. 

Can the Grizzlies be premier threats in the Western Conference?

Another reason why the Grizzlies have been playing above expectations is due to rebounding. Memphis ranks third in the association in total rebounding percentage with 53.1% respectively. Grizzlies upstart rookie Cam Boozer leads the team by averaging 10.3 per game.

Alongside Boozer on the boards is Zach Edey (7.3 per game) and Cedric Coward (8.7 per game). For context, the Grizzlies ranked 27th in total rebounding percentage with 47.8% last season. 

It is also worth mentioning the Grizzles' young core has played well thus far. Boozer, the third pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is averaging 17.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. The former Duke star recorded his first-ever triple double in just his fifth NBA game against the Portland Trailblazers. As of now, it seems as though Boozer and Golden State Warriors' Yaxel Lendeborg are the frontrunners for the Rookie of the Year award. 

Coward has been essential for the Grizzlies, especially in the paint. The 23-year-old averaged just 5.9 rebounds a season ago and has now gotten at least seven rebounds in every contest thus far. 

The biggest question for Memphis is if this level of play is sustainable throughout an 82-game season. The Grizzlies are largely inexperienced and are led by a player who doesn't have a strong track record of being a de facto No. 1 option. It's also fair to wonder if Jerome's prolific performances are sustainable or if this hot streak is just another repeat of Jeremy Lin's "Linsanity" run back in 2012.