EXCITED: Three-year, $28M deal with a player option in year three—well below market expectations for his production. • Last season in Cleveland: 12.5 PPG, 3.4 APG, 51.6% FG, 43.9% 3PT in just ~20 mpg—Sixth Man of the Year finalist .

Three-year, $28M deal with a player option in year three—well below market expectations for his production.
• Last season in Cleveland: 12.5 PPG, 3.4 APG, 51.6% FG, 43.9% 3PT in just ~20 mpg—Sixth Man of the Year finalist .

Filling Memphis’ Needs

1. Replaces Desmond Bane’s shooting/spacer role—a natural fit with elite efficiency.
2. Secondary creator—can bring the ball up, run pick‑and‑rolls, and alleviate pressure on Ja Morant, especially when Morant rests or is injured.
3. Veteran IQ & locker room presence—a stabilizing force, per Beale Street Bears: “maturity, vision, sense of.

How He Fits on Court

Sixth‑man lead: Likely to run the second unit alongside Pippen Jr., Wells, Aldama .

• Two‑guard pairing with Morant: At 6’5″, he can match up defensively and continue spacing the floor.
• Clutch scoring and shot creation: Proved capable in high-leverage situations—28-point in a playoff game and dominating per-36 numbers .

 Potential Concerns

• Small playoff sample size; he did struggle in two key playoff games last year .
• Defense will be tested in the Western Conference—he’s not a lockdown guard, so Memphis needs to scheme around it .

⚖️ Final Verdict

Memphis just landed a high-upside, cost-effective backcourt piece. Jerome brings elite shooting, playmaking, and veteran savvy—addressing clear deficiencies highlighted by Bane’s departure. He strengthens the second unit and offers flexibility with Morant. If he can maintain his efficiency and adapt defensively, this is a B+ signing that could pay dividends on the playoff stage.