In the 2025 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies drafted Cedric Coward out of Washington State University. They executed this by trading up to the 11th pick in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers for the Grizzlies’ 16th pick and two future second-round picks. Coward was a sought-after prospect by many teams and was at the top of the Grizzlies’ board after a stellar combine and workout on the Monday before the draft.
His versatility, size, shot-making ability, and defensive intangibles jumped off the screen and page. In his redshirt junior season, the 6-foot-6, 206-pound wing averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 blocks per game and shot the ball efficiently on 55.7 / 40.0 / 83.9 shooting splits.
It has to be mentioned that he put these numbers up in a small sample size after playing only six games last season, as he had a season-ending shoulder injury in November. Despite this, he was a lottery pick and has been receiving a lot of praise from inside and outside of the organization since being drafted.
Being that Coward is expected to be ready to suit up at the start of the 2025-2026 season, his presence and high expectations could lead to a jumble in the Grizzlies’ wing rotation. His emergence could lead to roster rearrangement as well.
Before the offseason got underway, the Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and multiple first-round picks. After the trade and draft, seven wings are currently on Memphis' roster. Those wings are Coward, Caldwell-Pope, GG Jackson II, Vince Williams Jr., John Konchar, Cam Spencer, and Jaylen Wells.
This is a pivotal offseason for Memphis. General Manager Zach Kleiman has been quoted multiple times stating how this roster simply isn’t good enough and how they aren’t “one player away” to be a contender. With that being the attitude of the front office, it is hard to imagine a team going into a season with a seven-man wing rotation. The Grizzlies have other holes on the roster, and having this many wings on the roster isn’t the best way to allocate those roster spots.
Consolidation is a must for the Grizzlies
Ultimately, this could lead to some of these guys getting traded or stuck at the end of the bench fighting for playing time. Wells, Spencer, and Coward are locks to be a part of the future. Wells is coming off an All-Rookie First Team season, and his emergence was part of the reason Bane was dealt, according to Kleiman.
Spencer is still on his rookie deal and is expected to have a bigger role next season. Coward is, of course, the lottery pick with expectations through the roof. That leaves Caldwell-Pope, Jackson II, Williams Jr., and Konchar as question marks.
Caldwell-Pope could be seen as a short-term fit. He was recently acquired by Memphis, and his veteran leadership is needed. His 3-and-D style of play is something that has eluded the Grizzlies for years.
Jackson II, Williams Jr., and Kochar could be the odd men out. Jackson II and Williams Jr. are both coming off up-and-down seasons where they struggled to find their rhythm. They are also both coming off injury-riddled seasons. Both showed high levels of promise during the 2023-2024 season, but haven’t been able to return to that level of play. Konchar, in his six years with Memphis, has maintained a solid level of play. However, his play hasn't matched up to his 3-year, $18.4 million contract.
The wing position has been the kryptonite for Memphis since the Grit 'N' Grind days. Wells has proven to be part of that solution, with Caldwell-Pope and Coward being acquired to help as well. However, Memphis still has room to improve and big decisions to make going forward. Jackson II, Williams Jr., and Konchar all have value and potential to help this team. However, they also have that same value and potential to be used in future deals. There’s a cluster in the wing rotation, and something has to give. Time will only tell what Memphis decides to do.