Thunder Urged To Consider Trading For NBA’s Hottest Scorer Ty Jerome Amid Major Injury Crisis

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been urged to consider trading for Ty Jerome, as injuries to Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace have had a major impact on their rotation. But the suggestion comes with an important distinction: NBA Insider Marc Stein is discussing a possible fit, not reporting that the Thunder have already begun pursuing the Memphis Grizzlies guard.

Jerome’s recent explosive scoring, manageable contract, and previous experience with the Oklahoma City Thunder make him an intriguing option. He played for the Thunder from 2020 to 2022, giving the organization familiarity with the player, who’s now having a great stint in Memphis.

“Consider this item observational rather than reporting: The aforementioned Jerome obviously isn’t a wing with size like Williams, but his versatility and productivity (and contract) do make you wonder if he’s the sort of player Oklahoma City might eventually contemplate pursuing.”

“Especially since the Thunder have already had Jerome, who turned 29 in July, in their program.While no one expects him to keep scoring 34.7 points per game, Jerome is doing his damage on a very favorable contract: $9.2 million this season and a $9.7 million player option next season. A disabled player exception, if granted by the league, can only be used on players who are only under contract for the current season in question, but Oklahoma City could certainly use one of its trade exceptions to take in a contract of that size.”

“It seems relatively safe to presume that Jerome — whether or not Oklahoma City shows interest — is bound to generate trade feelers between now and the Feb. 11 trade deadline given Memphis’ perceived focus on its young trio of Cam Boozer, Zach Edey and Cedric Coward.”

Through his first three games, Jerome averaged a league-leading 34.7 points per game while shooting 56.3% from the field. He opened with 45 points against the Utah Jazz, followed with 28 against the Golden State Warriors, and added 31 against the Sacramento Kings. The Grizzlies won all three games, and Jerome earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors.

He did have a slow night against the Utah Jazz recently, where he finished with 15 points, but he’s still averaging a very impressive 29.8 points per game, and he’s one of the NBA’s leading scorers as of now.

That production would attract attention anywhere, but the Thunder’s circumstances make the idea very interesting. Williams suffered a fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle, while Wallace sustained a torn labrum in his left shoulder during the Thunder’s 108-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Both injuries would require surgery, and neither player has an official return timeline.

Jerome would give the Thunder another scorer and ball-handler to help take some pressure off Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His ability to create offense could be very valuable when the Thunder’s leading scorer needs rest or if opposing defenses force the ball out of his hands.

But still, Jerome would not replace everything that the Thunder have lost. As Stein acknowledges, he does not offer Williams’ size on the wing or the defensive presence that Wallace provides. Adding scoring would address one problem, but the Thunder would still need answers for their depleted perimeter defense.

His contract is another possibility that deserves consideration. Jerome earns $9.2 million this season and holds a $9.7 million player option for next season. Stein explained that the disabled player exception could not accommodate that contract because such an exception applies only to players under contract for the current season.

Instead, Stein identified the Oklahoma City Thunder’s existing trade exceptions as a potential route to absorb Jerome’s salary. The larger question is whether the Grizzlies would entertain such a move when he’s playing so well.

Stein pointed to the Grizzlies’ emphasis on Cam Boozer, Zach Edey, and Cedric Coward as a reason that Ty Jerome could generate inquiries before the February 11 trade deadline. But developing young players does not automatically mean the Grizzlies must trade a highly productive veteran. Jerome is helping the Grizzlies win, and his playmaking can also benefit their emerging core.

For the Thunder, a new pursuit would depend on the asking price and how the remaining guards would handle the additional responsibility. Three outstanding games out of four should not determine their entire evaluation.

Ty Jerome is a logical name for discussion, particularly given his contract and familiarity with the franchise. For now, though, a Thunder reunion remains an NBA insider’s suggestion rather than evidence of active negotiations between the two teams.