With the 2022-23 season having come to an end, we look back and review every player that took to the floor for the Golden State Warriors. Players are ranked on performance, with some of that based on preseason expectations.
Having only been signed to a two-way contract just before the start of the season, Ty Jerome did all of, and perhaps more than what was expected of him in 2022-23. The Golden State Warriors could count themselves lucky that Jerome was capable of standing up when called upon, particularly during two injury stints for superstar point-guard Stephen Curry.
Jerome had been waived by the Houston Rockets after a September 30 trade that saw him dealt by the Oklahoma City Thunder following a couple of solid seasons. Golden State immediately invited the fourth-year guard to training camp, and he eventually won a two-way spot over Lester Quinones.
Despite a solid first season at the Golden State Warriors, Ty Jerome will likely be on the lookout for a new team in 2023-24.
Jerome made his Warrior debut on October 25 in Phoenix, before playing the following seven games as Steve Kerr sought an effective bench unit following a disastrous start to the season. His chances were limited across the next month, but a December 12 injury to Curry thrust him back into an extensive role.
With the erratic, up-and-down play of Jordan Poole, Jerome was a calming presence in a backup role. Perhaps his biggest issue is a lack of an elite specific skill, but his consistency in a range of facets makes him a valuable regular-season contributor.
The 25-year-old played at least 20 minutes in eight-straight games between December 20 and January 4 — a period which included five-straight home wins with Curry still on the sidelines. He had 17 points and seven assists to be a key architect behind the Warriors’ comeback win against the Utah Jazz on December 28.
His best game for the season came in a suprise six-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 20. Golden State were resting all their stars after a tough overnight loss to the Boston Celtics the night prior, but Jerome stepped up with a season-high 22 points and eight assists on 9-for-13 shooting in just over 41 minutes.
Another injury to Curry in February brought Jerome back into the equation, with the former Virginia product playing at least 16 minutes in 13-straight games with the two-time MVP absent. That period included a 20-point outing against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 23.
But with his 50-game limit nearing its conclusion, Jerome played in just 90 seconds of the Warriors’ final 13 games. After constant speculation on whether Golden State would convert he or Anthony Lamb’s two-way deal, the franchise went with the latter given some uncertainty around Andrew Wiggins’ status for the postseason.
He finished the season averaging 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 rebounds, and three assists on nearly 50/40/90 shooting splits. He undoubtedly made an impact, particularly through his 4.5 assist-to-turnover ratio which stood out in the Warriors’ high-turnover prone system.
Given Lamb wasn’t a part of the playoff rotation, and with Poole’s deteriorating form, his steadiness could have actually been useful against the Lakers in the second-round. Regardless, with Jerome no longer capable of being signed to a two-year contract, it’s unlikely he returns to the franchise next season.