The Detroit Pistons have been active this offseason, taking steps to shore up their perimeter shooting, but their offense still falls short of where it needs to be. Last season, the lack of a reliable secondary ball-handler and playmaker alongside Cade Cunningham was a glaring issue. Drafting Ebuka Okorie was a long-term solution to that problem, though the 19-year-old point guard is likely not ready to contribute meaningful minutes right away.
For that reason, it makes sense for Detroit to pursue another backcourt creator through trade. While fans may have hoped for a major splash involving someone like Kyrie Irving or Trey Murphy, those blockbuster scenarios appear unrealistic. Still, there are viable trade targets out there who could provide a real boost.
Ty Jerome of the Memphis Grizzlies stands out as an affordable option worth serious consideration. The 29-year-old guard hasn’t drawn much attention this summer as a trade piece, largely because he missed most of the previous season due to injury. But when healthy, Jerome has sustained the strong play that made him a finalist for Sixth Man of the Year in 2024–25.
Over his past two seasons split between Memphis and Cleveland, Jerome has posted averages of 13.8 points and 3.8 assists in just over 20 minutes per game, with remarkably efficient shooting splits of 50.5% from the field, 43.3% from three, and 87.3% from the line. He ranks among the league’s most effective backup guards, combining high usage with exceptional ball security qualities that make him a potent offensive weapon.
Defensively, Jerome has clear limitations: he lacks quickness, athleticism, and length, which is precisely why he’s a reserve and carries a manageable $9.2 million salary for next season. Those same factors also make him an accessible target for Detroit.
The Grizzlies are in a rebuilding phase and would likely be open to dealing the veteran Jerome in exchange for future assets. With a young backcourt that includes Scotty Pippen Jr., Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, and Javon Small, Memphis has plenty of developing guards to evaluate, which could make Jerome expendable at the right price.
From a salary-matching standpoint, the deal is straightforward. The Pistons hold a $15 million trade exception from the Isaiah Stewart transaction, so they could use any combination of contracts to absorb Jerome’s salary. The real cost would come in the form of draft compensation an unprotected first-round pick would probably get the deal done. That might sound steep to fans unfamiliar with Jerome’s value, but he offers exactly the kind of affordable shot creation and scoring punch that could elevate Detroit’s offense to another level.
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