When NBA free agency began, the Memphis Grizzlies didn’t spend any time getting a player. As reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania – by the way, could we possibly have some rival news outlets covering the Grizzlies? —
- agreed to a re-negotiation and extension with Jaren Jackson Jr. for five years and $240M
- re-signed Santi Aldama to a three-year deal worth $52.5M.
- re-signed Cam Spencer to a two-year, $4.5M contract
- signed Ty Jerome for a three-year, $28M deal with the room exception
All in all, a very busy, productive day for the Memphis Grizzlies on the first day of free agency. They addressed its two highest priorities of the summer, while filling a need with its full room exception and fortifying its depth with shooting.
First order of business: Locking in Jaren Jackson Jr.
Securing Jaren Jackson Jr.’s extension was far and away the most important item of business for the Memphis Grizzlies this summer.
Starting with his game, Jackson was one of the 20 best players in the NBA this past season, missing All-NBA honors by fewer than 15 points. He averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game, while making 54.1% of his two’s and 37.5% of his threes (5.3 attempts per game). In addition, per dunksandthrees, he was one of just five players last year to boast an offensive EPM >= 2 and a defensive EPM >= 1.5. The other four? Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Davis, Evan Mobley, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Good company, if you ask me.
The Grizzlies locking in their cornerstone through the rest of the 2020s keeps him out of unrestricted free agency next summer, where more teams (most notably, the Los Angeles Lakers) have more projected cap space. Doing so avoids “contract year” talk and “will he walk for nothing” questions all season long.
Jackson has taken noticeable leaps each season, becoming one of the best two-way players in the league. Now, it’s time to see what this remixed version of the Grizzlies with Jackson and Ja Morant at the forefront can do in the West.
Also, Jaren Jackson Jr. is making a number change. So Grizzlies fans, be ready to update your Jackson jerseys this upcoming season.
Grizzlies make an external signing with Ty Jerome
The Memphis Grizzlies signed Ty Jerome for the full $8.8M room exception over three years — a player option in tact after the 2026-27 season. It marks the first non-minimum free agent signing the Grizzlies have made since Tyus Jones in 2019.
Jerome was a key cog for a 68-win Cleveland Cavaliers last season. Finishing third in 6th Man of the Year voting, he was one of the most productive per-minute players in basketball — most points per game for players averaging less than 20 minutes per game since 2020-21. He averaged 12.5 points, 3.4 assists (against 1.1 turnovers), 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals while making 57% of his two’s and 43.9% of his three’s (3.6 attempts per game) in just 19.9 minutes per game.
The Grizzlies really needed some more creation and playmaking after trading Desmond Bane and letting Luke Kennard walk. Jerome was the best option out on the open market, especially given the resources the Grizzlies had at their disposal.
He’s a 6’5” guard that can create his own shot, efficiently run an offense, and shoot the lights out of the gym — will dive more on his creation at a later date. He can play next to Ja Morant, or run the offense when he’s on the bench or absent from the game.
While his series against the Pacers sheds negative light on him — where he was forced to create with an injured Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell against a team that was a win away from an NBA championship — Jerome is an excellent pickup that should help the Grizzlies’ offense hum..
Grizzlies lock in Santi Aldama
The contract that Santi Aldama signed is very valuable considering the trajectory of the cap, and he is better than most people think. According to Spotrac, his earnings will not exceed 10.5% of the cap. Quite a little better than most people think. In the case of the platform’s friend, Exhibit A,
Those are the players whose $20 million yearly salary the fan base demands and who are frequently traded for several first-round selections. Clearly, you’re Santi! More importantly, seven-footers with Aldama’s level of skill in dribbling, passing, and shooting are not inexpensive. Quick on his feet and a natural facilitator of assists, he is a dangerous shooter. Take a look at this:
Players of Santi Aldama’s skillset just don’t grow on trees.
While the defense is underwhelming, he’s made 43.6% of his threes on 3.9 attempts per game across 10 playoff games in his career. Role players that can hit shots in the postseason can raise the ceiling — look at the 2025 Pacers, and at the 2024 Mavericks that beat the Thunder in the second round.
The Grizzlies retained Aldama at a tremendous value.
Hey, Cam Spencer promotion!
Another Memphis Grizzlies two-way promotion. The Grizzlies did not give Spencer the three-year or four-year contract, as he’s signed to the minimum, which has a cap at two years.
At exit interviews, Zach Kleiman said Cam Spencer was a grizzly bear that had “dawg” in spades. His run-in’s with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker only amplify it.
Along with that ultra-intense mentality, Spencer will add outside shooting deeper into the bench. While he won’t be in the rotation, he’s a good innings eater for the regular season when the team is shorthanded.
What’s next for the Grizzlies?
With the rest of the offseason to go, everything points to the question of what’s next for the Memphis Grizzlies.
As the Grizzlies’ primary means of freeing up salary cap room for Jackson’s renegotiation and extension, the contract of Cole Anthony hangs in the balance. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Grizzlies are collaborating with Anthony’s agents to determine his future and are offering him chances to land elsewhere. The prospect of a buyout was mentioned by his dad, Greg Anthony, on NBA TV.
Soon, that will fall like a domino for the Grizzlies. After that is taken care of, the Grizzlies will have a roster of fifteen players. Any other action will most likely take the form of a little trade, perhaps to make room on the roster for another signing.
What they do with the 11–15 roster positions is something I’m keeping an eye on. John Konchar, Cam Spencer, and Vince Williams all hover around 6’4″ and are off-ball players; Jay Huff and GG Jackson are the only two players whose roles overlap somewhat.
With Zach Edey out for the season and Brandon Clarke returning from a knee injury that ended his season, the Grizzlies will also need to fill a centre position.
To help cut salary and re-sign Mo Wagner, I proposed trading Konchar, Williams, and Huff to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Goga Bitadze.
Whatever the case may be, the Grizzlies got a lot done on the opening day of free agency. They reached an agreement with Jackson and Aldama over their two most important contract decisions. Along with Jerome, they added some additional filming and creation.
By adding Spencer to the lineup, they increased their deep shooting threat.
With the addition of the Aldama and Jerome contracts, the Grizzlies now have two additional mid-sized contracts, which increases them flexibility for potential future transactions.
The Grizzlies’ depth in the first nine to ten games back with Edey is what really sold me on the team.
Leave a Reply