5 thoughts on Jackson, Jerome, Aldama, Spencer news
The Memphis Grizzlies got busy on the first day of free agency -- headlined by Jaren Jackson Jr.'s extension, Santi Aldama re-signing, and Ty Jerome coming to Memphis.
The Memphis Grizzlies wasted zero time on the first day of NBA free agency. All per ESPN’s Shams Charania — which side note, can we please get some news-breaking competition? — 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
Santi Aldama is better than people realize, and the contract people signed him is great value with where the cap is going. He’s only going to be making 10.5% of the cap, per Spotrac.
Again, better than people realize. Exhibit A from friend of the platform, Chip Williams:
All of those players are making $20M annually, and are guys the fanbase clamors for and puts in trade machines with multiple first-round picks attached. Oh hey, Santi!
Also, seven-footers that can dribble, pass, and shoot at Aldama’s level just don’t grow on trees. He’s a willing shooter that can put the ball on the deck and create for himself and others. Look at this:
Hey, I’ll even lower the parameters to 6’9”:
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.
Cole Anthony’s contract looms, as it’s the Grizzlies’ main vehicle into creating cap space for Jackson’s renegotiation-and-extension. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Grizzlies are working with Anthony’s representation on his next steps and giving him the opportunity to find his next landing spot. His dad, Greg Anthony, said on NBA TV that there’s the possibility of a buyout. That will likely be the Grizzlies’ next domino in the coming day.
Once that’s addressed, the Grizzlies’ roster will be at 15 players. Any other move will likely be a minor trade, maybe one that clears a roster spot for one more signing.
I’m watching how they operate with the 11-15 roster spots. Aside from GG Jackson and Jay Huff, there’s a bit of an overlap in positions with John Konchar, Cam Spencer, and Vince Williams all hanging around 6’4” and being off-ball players. The Grizzlies also have a need at center to address, as Zach Edey will miss the beginning of the season, and Brandon Clarke is coming off a season-ending knee injury.
I suggested the idea of flipping either Konchar or packaging Williams and Huff to the Orlando Magic for Goga Bitadze, which would help them trim salary to re-sign Mo Wagner.
Regardless, the Grizzlies accomplished a good amount on the first day of free agency. They agreed to deals on their two most critical contract decisions with Jackson and Aldama. They added some more creation and shooting with Jerome. They added more shooting deep into the roster with Spencer. On a transactional note, the Aldama and Jerome contracts give the Grizzlies two more mid-sized contracts, when enhance their flexibility for future moves. Most importantly, on the court, I like the depth the Grizzlies have with their first 9 — 10 when Edey is back.
Are the Grizzlies done this offseason? We’ll see.
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