The Grizzlies had a strong Summer League campaign but a gut-wrenching ending as the team lost the championship game to the Warriors 94-90. This summer, however, was still full of positives, and it's clear the team is moving in the right direction. If there's a development that should excite the Grizzlies, it's that Cam Boozer and Cedric Coward got to build chemistry before the regular season.
Cam Boozer was selected third overall this summer, and Cedric Coward was selected 11th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. They did not ever end up playing together at Duke, but they now have a golden opportunity to be foundational pieces together in Memphis.
Despite coming off an impressive All-Rookie First Team season, Cedric Coward played in this year's Summer League. It was surprising to some outside of Memphis, but it's important to remember that Coward didn't play in Summer League before his rookie season, and he had his last college season cut short.
Coward and Boozer had the summer the Grizzlies wanted to see
Like many rookie and second-year players in Summer League, it doesn't come as a surprise that both players made some mistakes. But given the fact the Grizzlies are rebuilding and trying to build winning habits early, there is plenty to like.
Cedric Coward did not have his shot falling early in this year's Summer League, but his rebounding remains a crucial skill, and he has made significant growth as a defender. Coward did show promising flashes defensively as a rookie, but he looks much stronger and made much more of a consistent impact on the defensive end this summer.
Coward will have to keep working on tightening his handle and become a more consistent three-point shooter. However, the signs point to Coward potentially becoming one of the best two-way players in the NBA later in his career.
Cam Boozer, on the other hand, showed many of the reasons he was selected third overall in this year's draft. Boozer is a very promising playmaker, and the release on his jump shot looked faster than in his Duke days.
His rebounding tenacity continues to stand out, and there were some positive flashes defensively. It will be key for him to keep growing defensively, but the potential couldn't be more clear. Coward and Boozer played well together at the same time, and it was clear how much they raised the ceiling of this Summer League group.
There were other players on the roster that got NBA minutes for the Grizzlies this season, such as Javon Small, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and Taylor Hendricks. But it's clear how much better the team functioned with one of Coward or Boozer, or both, on the court.
If there is one thing the Grizzlies must take away from this summer, the Cedric Coward and Cam Boozer duo we didn't get at Duke is off to the dream start in Memphis.
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