As Ty Jerome continues to have a stellar start to the season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Stein speculates about whether Ty Jerome could be the piece that Oklahoma City needs to contribute to winning. The Thunder suffered two grueling injury losses in forward Jalen Williams and guard Cason Wallace, leading many to believe Thunder GM Sam Presti will make moves to keep the team competitive.

Stein laid out the stakes of what the Thunder have that can help them make a move.

“They appear to be in line for a disabled player exception from the league office in Williams' case that will be worth $15 million … equal to the league's full midlevel exception. The Thunder also have three sizable trade exceptions available that were generated in recent deals worth $17.8 million, $11.3 million and $9.2 million…Presti, remember, already had to trade away Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins in the offseason because of Oklahoma City's fast-rising payroll. Don't forget, though, that he has stockpiled seven tradeable first-round picks and 21 second-rounders to sweeten future trade offers,” Stein wrote.

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He then openly speculated about whether Jerome would be a good fit for the Thunder, “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.”

Jerome had a quieter night for the Grizzlies in Wednesday's 110-105 win over the Utah Jazz, scoring 15 points and grabbing 8 assists and 1 steal on 4-of-15 shooting, with only 1 three-pointer. Still, he's averaging 29.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds for an undefeated Grizzlies team.