After a disappointing playoff exit, the Memphis Grizzlies are making bold moves, including trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic and selecting Cedric Coward with the 11th pick in the draft. Coward, a versatile forward from Washington State, aims to complement the existing All-Star duo of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant. His impressive 7-foot-2 wingspan adds crucial length to the team, though he must recover from a shoulder injury that limited his play last season.

In the previous season, Ja Morant averaged 23.2 points and 7.3 assists, while Jackson contributed 22.2 points with a strong shooting percentage. The Grizzlies finished 48-34, just scraping into the playoffs but faltered against the Golden State Warriors. Coward's drafting signals an intent to build a more competitive roster around their stars, enhancing both scoring and defensive capabilities.