Expectations and structure can change in a matter of days in the NBA.

Before June 15, the Memphis Grizzlies had two second-round picks ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. There weren’t many expectations since the Grizzlies have been expected to put together an older roster this offseason.

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Then, a trade happened. Memphis said goodbye to Desmond Bane and hello to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony and a treasure chest worth of draft picks, including four unprotected first-rounders.

One of those picks was a 2025 first-round pick. And just like that, the attention on the NBA Draft heightened in Memphis.

The Grizzlies currently hold picks No. 16, No. 48 and No. 56. The two-day draft will take place on June 25 and 26.

Memphis is a wild card on what to expect in the draft. On one hand, the team is in a stage where it wants to surround Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. with experienced NBA players. On another, identifying quality players in the draft is the easiest route to building a successful and sustainable roster.

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How Memphis handles the draft will be a telling sign on the direction of the team. Here are predictions for each Grizzlies pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Memphis can pick wing Cedric Coward in 2025 NBA Draft first round

If Memphis stays put at No. 16, adding a wing is the expectation. With Morant, Jackson, Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey firmly planted as starters, finding a long-term option at small forward is an emphasis.

The Grizzlies will have their pick at a few different types of players in this draft who could be available at No. 16. In this case, Washington State wing Cedric Coward falls to Memphis.

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Coward originally entered the transfer portal and NBA Draft after six games with the Cougars last season. He committed to Duke and was expected to stay in college, but his NBA combine performance made him one of the biggest risers in this draft.

The Grizzlies need size, athleticism and someone with two-way potential. Coward checks all of those boxes. He’s 6-foot-6 with a 7-2 wingspan and a 38-inch vertical.

It was only six games, but he averaged 17.7 points, seven rebounds and 3.7 assists at Washington State.

Three college seasons should better prepare Coward for a quick transition to the NBA.

Grizzlies should add shooter Koby Brea in NBA draft second round

The Grizzlies have done a good job of identifying players in the second round who have an elite skill in recent years. If they stick with that strategy, Koby Brea should be the pick at No. 48 overall.

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No, he isn’t the greatest athlete. He’s not going to come through the lane like Morant or score off the bounce like Jackson. However, Brea is arguably the best shooter in the draft.

Memphis traded away Bane, and Luke Kennard is an unrestricted free agent. Those absences will create massive shooting holes that need to be filled, or the Grizzlies won’t be a good shooting team.

Brea spent five years in college and shot the 3-pointer at an efficient clip on high volume. He was one of the best shooters in the A-10 conference, then he transferred to Kentucky and continued to shoot well against the best competition in college basketball.

Brea shot 43.4% in college on 3-pointers while making 2.1 attempts per game.

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DRAFT TARGETS: Guards, wings and bigs the Memphis Grizzlies could target in 2025 NBA Draft

Memphis could get big man Amari Williams with final pick

Two Kentucky players in one draft? That might be the best route for Memphis.

After adding two wings, the Grizzlies stockpile more size in their loaded frontcourt with 6-10 Kentucky center, Amari Williams.

Like Brea, Williams didn’t start his career at Kentucky. He played at Drexel and became one of the CAA’s best defenders and rim protectors.

Williams entered college known as a big man with a unique playmaking ability, and he showed that at Kentucky. If Williams can protect the rim, catch lobs and be another facilitator that takes pressure off of Morant, then he is worth a flier at No. 56 overall.

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Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies NBA mock draft 2025 predictions: Who joins Ja Morant?