This year simply has not gone the way many Grizzlies fans hoped for. Being a title contender was unlikely even at full strength; however, being a playoff team was not out of the realm of possibility. Despite the fact the Grizzlies pivoted from a retool to a rebuild so quickly, their 2025 NBA Draft class looks primed to help the franchise return to winning ways much sooner.
It was a bold decision on draft night for the Grizzlies to end up trading up for Cedric Coward. It was a steep haul given that multiple first-round picks were involved, but it was clearly the right move. Despite some quality frontcourt options being selected before the Grizzlies picked at #48, the Grizzlies clearly struck gold with the Javon Small pick.
Coward can have one of the best careers of the 2025 class
Cedric Coward did not end up appearing in Summer League due to shoulder surgery that he had before the draft. There was some initial panic within the fanbase due to Coward's early offensive struggles in the preseason. However, Coward has clearly shown how NBA-ready he was and that he should be a key building block in Memphis.
For the season, Coward is averaging 13.3 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in just 25.9 minutes. His production is impressive given the fact he's had to battle some minute restrictions. Coward is an incredible rebounder for his position and is very smart off-ball. He will need to improve as an on-ball creator, but it is easy to see why so many Memphis fans believe in him.
The Grizzlies need to give him more on-ball reps the rest of the season and during this year's Summer League. Cedric Coward has everything it takes to make a big year 2 leap and become one of the best players of a strong 2025 NBA Draft class.
Javon Small could end up becoming a key bench piece
Javon Small recently started getting more love on the NBA Rookie Ladder. Despite that, it still feels like he's one of the more underrated rookies of the entire 2025 NBA class. Even though small guards are often criticized in this league, Small has been extremely productive offensively and is even showing signs of potentially becoming a plus defender.
In an expanded role, Small is averaging 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 25.9 minutes per game since All-Star break. The Grizzlies aren't playing in many win situations lately, but it still remains impressive to see how much Javon Small has improved throughout the season. Even though the pressure to win will grow in Memphis, Small deserves to be offered a standard contract this summer.
Small should at least become a reliable bench scoring option; however, if he keeps improving offensively, he has the potential to accomplish even more in Memphis.
The Grizzlies have had a rough season and will need some good lottery luck for this year's stacked class. Regardless of how Ja Morant's future shakes out, the Cedric Coward and Javon Small picks should play a major role in the Grizzlies becoming a playoff team soon.