The Memphis Grizzlies have shocked the masses by trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. It was a decision that spoke to a new direction in Memphis, as the franchise prioritized four future first-round draft picks and a 2029 pick swap over perhaps their most skilled perimeter scorer.
Thankfully, the Grizzlies won't have to wait long to find a player who could be developed into their new Bane—or whatever the version of him is that fits their vision.
Memphis acquired Bane on the night of the 2020 NBA Draft and benefited immensely from his rapid development into one of the best shooting guards in the NBA. Though never an All-Star, the 26-year-old has become the prototypical all-around 2-guard.
Over the past three seasons, Bane has compiled averages of 21.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.8 three-point field goals made per game on .477/.394/.883 shooting.
Replacing that type of production, let alone the value that goes beyond the numbers, will be next to impossible in the short term. Memphis can, however, utilize the 2025 first-round draft pick that it acquired from Orlando to get the ball rolling.
Thankfully for the Grizzlies, the perfect prospect to replace Bane projects to be available at No. 16 overall: Cedric Coward.
Cedric Coward can help Grizzlies begin to replace Desmond Bane
Coward is perhaps the fastest-rising prospect to emerge from the 2025 NBA Draft. He's a physical marvel, standing at 6'5.25" without shoes and 213 pounds with a gigantic 7'2.25" wingspan and an equally as prolific 8'10" standing reach.
In addition to boasting elite measurements, Coward also has a 38.5" max vertical leap and posted the fourth-fastest three-quarter sprint time at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
Those attributes epitomize the rapid improvement of his draft stock. He's not just the prototype, but an absolute dream for a modern wing from a physical perspective. That has scouts around the NBA believing he has the capacity for an All-Defense level of play.
For a Grizzlies team that has built its identity around its defense, Coward certainly appears to be an ideal fit with his undeniable upside.
In terms of what's currently known about Coward, he's a sharpshooting wing with the ability to impact multiple phases of the game. Between 2023-24 and 2024-25, he posted averages of 15.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.6 offensive boards, 2.0 assists, 1.1 blocks, 1.0 steal, and 1.7 three-point field goals made on .564/.387/.880 shooting.
With a skill set that aligns with his production, Coward's realistic upside comparison is that of a high-level 3-and-D wing who can thrive alongside Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant.
The question moving forward will be whether or not Coward can develop into the shot creator that Bane has become. That will be a tall task, but the rapid and progressive development that he showed throughout his collegiate career has many believing the hype.
From Eastern Washington to Washing State to being able to turn down Duke for a career in the NBA, Coward's rise perfectly aligns with Memphis' need for a new wing.