標籤: Morants

As the Memphis Grizzlies navigate more absences than highlights, the same question is being asked in countless ways. What will the future look like if Ja Morant is no longer the answer? Well, Ty Jerome is showing Tuomas Isalo and the front office what a cost-effective solution looks like. While much of the league’s attention has focused on Morant’s availability and trade rumors, Jerome has quietly posted All-Star-caliber numbers.

Jerome is currently the only player averaging over 20 points per game (20.9) at Memphis, surpassing both Jaren Jackson Jr. (19.5) and Morant (19.2) in scoring output this season. It’s a small sample size, admittedly, but the statistical profile shows that Jerome is much more than just a “hot hand” on a weak team. Look at Nikola Jokic’s near triple-double in three quarters against the Denver Nuggets.

The lack of a front court has made it difficult to evaluate this season. However, Isalo knows the Grizzlies have at least one locker room leader for next season.

“Ty has been very strong for us the whole time,” Isalo said. “He’s become one of the premier creators in the entire league, able to create shots for himself and others.”

Jerome leads the Grizzlies in 3-point attempts (6.6) and is shooting better than 40% from beyond the arc, which is the hallmark of a typical modern point guard. Perhaps most impressive is that Jerome Morant is getting to the free-throw line just as often as he is, but maintaining a field goal percentage 8% higher than Morant.

Like Ja, Ty also has a target on his back, given the shorthanded nature of the roster that has been limited to two-way players, 10-day contract signings and 42-year-old Taj Gibson. Yet, Jerome turns the ball over only 1.9 times per game, compared to Morant’s 3.6. His 5.4 assists per game lags Morant’s 8.1, but the raw stats don’t fully capture the circumstances.

“(Jerome) gets the toughest assignments every night…a lot of length on him, a lot of physicality,” Isalo explained. “They try to take the ball out of his hands, but somehow he always finds a way.”

Even under the microscope, Jerome’s statistical profile matches up favorably with the league’s starting guards returning from injury. For example, his production is compared to Dejounte Murray (New Orleans Pelicans). Murray is averaging 19.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 35.1% from three and committing 3.4 turnovers per game. Jerome’s scoring, efficiency and ball security all stand out in that comparison.

The financial implications are equally important. Jerome is under contract for $9.2 million through the 2026-27 season, a fraction of Morant’s $42.4 million cap hit and significantly less than Murray’s $32.8 million salary. In a league where roster flexibility often determines whether teams can pursue contention, the difference in salary cap optionality could prove significant.

That contract disparity is where Jerome’s value becomes truly transformational for the Grizzlies. His cheap deal frees up ample room for frontcourt additions this offseason, giving the front office flexibility that would be lost if the franchise was forced to pay market rate for comparable point guard play. If Morant is traded this summer, the 28-year-old would provide a reliable, affordable bridge rather than a crippling void.

Jerome can also serve as a mentor. A rookie point guard added through the draft would benefit from playing alongside a steady veteran who values ​​efficiency and decision making. With Cedric Coward, Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, Scottie Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Wells all capable of contributing in ball-handling duties, a Jerome-anchored backcourt could help develop the guy who ultimately assumes the lead guard role long-term.

That stability could be invaluable for a team dealing with uncertainty around one of its biggest stars. Jerome may not have arrived in Memphis with the fanfare of a franchise cornerstone, but his breakout season has quietly given the Grizzlies something every front office desires. All rebuilds have option rules on everything. And with Morant’s future still a big question mark, the Grizzlies may soon have a strong reason to see how far Jerome’s rise can go.

Memphis Grizzlies franchise star Ja Morant has always worn his heart on his sleeve since his days as a high-flyer for the Murray State basketball program. Morant took the country by storm with his generational talent and has been entertaining NBA fans since being drafted second overall in 2019. As was the case with his previous releases, Morant recently shared his Murray State Nike Ja 3 signature shoes.

Check out our sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Ja Morant paved quite the way for himself at Murray State, and became the program’s all-time leader in single-season assists (331), single-season points (808), and career assists. In 2018–2019, Morant became the first player in NCAA men’s basketball history to average 20+ points and 10+ assists per game.

After linking up with Nike and releasing his first signature sneakers shortly thereafter, the Nike Ja 3 stands out as Morant’s most unique creation to date. The stunning silhouette is uniquely linked to his electric play on the court and this upcoming “Murray State” colorway serves as a constant reminder of where Morant became a household name.

Nike J3 “Murray State”

Official Retailer Images: Nike Jaa 3 “Murray State” 🐻
📆 5th March
👪 Adult + GS Size
💰 $125 / $102

Take a closer look: https://t.co/ItnM2TTeDT pic.twitter.com/0TmPf5px5I

– Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) 23 February 2026

Ja Morant rocks the Nike Ja 3 “Murray State” pic.twitter.com/t81kCkTyLe

– Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) 22 January 2026

Morant released previous “Murray State” versions of his Nike Ja 1 and Ja 2 sneakers over the past two years, all of which were a uniform white/blue/yellow colorway to match the Racers’ school colors. Sporting a “Claw” design throughout the Nike Ja 3, the left shoe will feature alternating scratch marks with a yellow-to-blue gradient, while the right shoe of both shoes will feature a blue-to-yellow gradient for a mismatched look.

Based on the ZoomX outsole, the shoe will feature a White base on the upper, tongue and sockliner. We see Electric Blue/Yellow Nike Swooshes on the lateral side of both shoes, framed by a metallic JA logo on the tongue. Overall, this is definitely the most unique “Murray State” colorway we’ve seen from the signature line yet.

The Nike J3 “Murray State” will release on March 5th, 2025 for a standard retail tag of $125. The shoes will come in full family sizes with adjusted pricing and are expected to be available on Nike SNKRS release day. Usually available in ample stock, be sure to also check your local Nike retailers to see if they are stocking pairs.

What are your thoughts on Morant’s latest Nike Ja 3 creation?

To say that the Philadelphia 76ers have high expectations for VJ Edgecombe as a rookie would be an understatement.

Joining the red, white and blue as a 20-year-old rookie from Baylor, Edgecombe has started all 50 games in 2025-26 with Tyrese Maxey and company tasked with spacing the floor, driving to the basket and playing good defense on the other side of the court.

Discussing his rookie season in the NBA midway through his rookie season on the Club 520 podcast, Edgecombe broke down a particularly difficult stretch of games where he was tasked with guarding some of the best players in the NBA.

“Man, it was a stretch. I even went to guard Luka, Curry was sitting out. I’m not going to lie, I was low-key happy,” Edgecombe said. “Even if you want to compete, I was like, this isn’t too bad. I had to guard Luka, I had to guard Shai, D-Bucs, Brunson, I had to guard all of them, brother. So it was like my welcome to the NBA.”

So, who was the toughest player Edgecombe faced during his “Welcome to the NBA” challenge? That would be Ja Morant, who dropped 40 on the 76ers despite Edgecombe’s best efforts.

“Toughest? I’m not going to lie to you, Ja Morant brother,” Edgecombe said. “I’m not going to lie, he had 40.”

Widely touted as one of the better athletes in the 2025 NBA Draft class, Edgecombe made it clear that he wanted to be a force on both ends of the court, with defense being as important to his individual play as it was to his offensive production. Despite often being the youngest player on the court whenever Nick Nurse checks in on him in a game, Edgecombe’s desire to play both ways has largely been fulfilled, with “The Generator” only getting better as his ability is tested night in and day out.