The new NBA season is on the horizon, meaning various player and team rankings are making their rounds in the national media circles. The latest ranking from ESPN ranked the different tiers of trios for each team, and added a surprise to the Grizzlies' trio.
Cedric Coward was selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft and is expected to come off the bench to begin his rookie season, but was listed with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. as part of their trio. This is likely the vision the Grizzlies have for Coward after acquiring him with two of the first-round picks they obtained from the Orlando Magic in the trade for Desmond Bane.
Is it too soon to give the rookie wing who only played six games in his last collegiate season the "big three" designation? The Grizzlies would like to at least see some flashes from Coward to believe they have their future at the wing position.
The Grizzlies don't have a clear third guy this season
Less than a month ago, ESPN ranked its top 100 players in the NBA, with Zach Edey being rated as the Grizzlies' third-best player with a ranking of 88th. However, with Jaren Jackson Jr. already manning Memphis' frontcourt as a star player, they need a wing to balance out their star guard-big man duo.
The candidates for that designation will likely be between last year's Rookie of the Year finalist, Jaylen Wells, and Cedric Coward. Wells is expected to retain his starting position at small forward this season alongside Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on the wing. While Wells fits what the Grizzlies need in the 3-and-D role, the potential of Coward makes him the more intriguing pairing to become the team's third-best player.
The problem is that the Grizzlies are looking to contend with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. entering their prime years, so the learning curve for Coward will have to come quickly. Can he get up to speed fast enough to become a core player this season? There is always a possibility, but it is probably unlikely.
ESPN placed the Grizzlies in the "Changing the course" tier, with the Philadelphia 76ers, as teams that are transitioning their core. Trading Desmond Bane broke up their once-promising big three, which forced the franchise to pivot to younger players to fill that void. The hope is that the decision will provide dividends for a franchise that is striving for its first NBA championship.