Did the Memphis Grizzlies just win the 2025 NBA Draft before the season even started? With picks like Cedric Coward, Javon Small, and Jahmai Mashack, they’ve shored up defense, added crucial wing depth, and boosted shooting. Are these rookies the missing pieces for a championship run?
The Memphis Grizzlies strategically navigated the 2025 NBA Draft, acquiring a trio of talented rookies in Washington State wing Cedric Coward, West Virginia guard Javon Small, and Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack, signaling a clear winning strategy for the franchise. These selections, made possible through astute trades, are poised to significantly enhance the team’s current roster and reinforce its established identity, particularly their renowned defensive mentality.
A primary reason for the Grizzlies’ triumph in the 2025 NBA Draft lies in their success in bolstering their defensive personnel. Both Jahmai Mashack and Cedric Coward distinguished themselves as highly impactful defenders during their collegiate careers, showcasing the requisite size, athleticism, and versatility to transition their skills effectively to the demanding NBA level. Their ability to switch assignments and guard multiple positions provides invaluable flexibility.
Furthermore, these young prospects have consistently demonstrated disruptive playmaking capabilities on defense, frequently generating steals, blocks, and deflections at an elite rate. This aggressive, turnover-forcing style aligns perfectly with the Grizzlies’ tenacious defensive philosophy, ensuring that Coward and Mashack can immediately contribute as strong on-ball and off-ball defenders, making them key assets for the Memphis Grizzlies moving forward.
While Javon Small, at six-foot-two, may face initial challenges defensively due to his size, his college film reveals a player committed to playing with relentless effort, constantly pestering opponents. Similar to his fellow NBA rookies, Small also possesses a knack for defensive playmaking, actively keeping his hands engaged to force turnovers, adding another layer of defensive disruption to the team’s backcourt.
Another critical factor in the Grizzlies’ successful 2025 NBA Draft was their astute acquisition of additional wing depth, a commodity that is increasingly vital in today’s NBA landscape. The modern game heavily emphasizes the importance of versatile “3-and-D” wings, and in Cedric Coward and Jahmai Mashack, Memphis secured two players who excel at defending the perimeter while also operating effectively off-ball on offense. This addresses a significant need for the roster.
Prior to the 2025 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies relied on a limited core of wings, making the addition of younger prospects with long-term potential a strategic imperative. Cedric Coward, in particular, embodies the ideal modern NBA wing, possessing the multifaceted skills required to thrive in a system that prioritizes defensive versatility and offensive efficiency. His inclusion fortifies both the wing rotation and the team’s defensive foundation.
Beyond defense and wing depth, the Grizzlies also adeptly addressed another universal team requirement: shooting. Both Cedric Coward and Javon Small exhibit excellent shooting forms that are expected to translate seamlessly to the professional level. Coward projects as a reliable catch-and-shoot threat, while Small offers similar prowess in catch-and-shoot situations, with the added capability of knocking down shots off screens.
The influx of shooting from these two NBA Rookies is paramount for creating crucial floor spacing, thereby opening up the paint for the Grizzlies’ star players and facilitating a more fluid offense. This emphasis on perimeter shooting became an even more pressing need after a key shooter was traded, making the overall NBA Draft analysis of these picks overwhelmingly positive in terms of their potential offensive impact. The Memphis Grizzlies certainly look like winners.
