Ty Jerome Is Learning a New Job as Grizzlies Hand Him Bigger Offensive Role

Ty Jerome closed the first half Friday night with two 3-pointers in the final 29 seconds, the second a pull-up at the buzzer off a Cedric Coward pass.

The Memphis Grizzlies went to halftime ahead of the Charlotte Hornets 50-38, and Charlotte did not get within 12 the rest of the way. Memphis won the preseason finale 117-98 at FedExForum.

Jerome finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals in 22 minutes.

Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said afterward that Jerome is in a situation he has never been in during his career, in postgame comments posted by Grind City Media.

"He's a very mentally, extremely strong player, extremely strong player with a ton of confidence," Iisalo said. "So I don't — if you would tell him that he struggled, he'd say, 'No, I just missed some shots.' So he shakes that off very fast, and he's a very, very good offensive player, and you know that basketball is a game of runs. There will be some up and downs, but he stays with his process."

"And I thought also during the preseason, whether in practice or games, he's found a better balance between moving the ball and being aggressive," Iisalo continued. "And those are some of the things that are a little bit different when you're running point for a team, let's say. You're playing 28 minutes as a starting point guard and you're playing with the other best offensive players. How to involve them instead of being a microwave scorer off the bench."

Jerome came off the bench in 67 of his 70 games for Cleveland in 2024-25. He averaged 12.5 points in 19.9 minutes and shot 43.9% from 3-point range.

That season ended with Jerome third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Memphis signed him to a three-year, $27,660,150 contract that summer.

Through his first six NBA seasons, with Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Golden State, and Cleveland, he made 10 starts.

He started all 15 games he played for Memphis last season. A right calf strain in the 2025 preseason finale kept him out until late January.

When he did play, Jerome averaged 19.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. He shot 47.4% from the field and 42.0% from 3. His minutes sat at 22.6 a night.

The Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to Portland on June 29, leaving Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Cam Spencer, Walter Clayton Jr., and Javon Small at point guard.

Jerome started Friday with Coward, Kris Murray, Cameron Boozer, and Zach Edey.

Edey's pass set up the first of the two late 3s. Edey played his third preseason game Friday after missing all but 11 games last season.

Iisalo said the starting units are playing balanced basketball.

"And I think throughout the preseason — no surprise there, he's a very smart dude, wants to learn — so he's improved also in that aspect," Iisalo explained. "And that's why I think we're seeing also that balanced performance from the whole unit, and that gets better also during the games. He's good at feeling that out."

Jerome added an alley-oop to Edey with 3:44 left in the third quarter.

Charlotte finished with 24 turnovers, and Memphis had 14 steals.

Jerome turned 29 in July. The New York native played at Virginia, and Philadelphia drafted him 24th overall in 2019. His rights went to Boston and then Phoenix that summer.

An NBA scout who spoke to Grizzlies Roundtable in September expects Memphis to trade Jerome before the 2027 deadline.

Jerome is owed $9,220,050 this season, the second year of the deal.

Memphis opens against the Utah Jazz at FedExForum on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Tip-off is 7 p.m. CT.