Like the Pelicans and Jazz, the Memphis Grizzlies made trades to move up or into the draft. Memphis selected Washington State wing Cedric Coward, West Virginia guard Javon Small, and Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack. Overall, the crop of rookies that Memphis brought in is a perfect complement to the current roster and the team’s identity. Specifically, their group of rookies fits into their defensive mentality and can generally provide the spacing they need.

Besides Coward, who didn’t play in Summer League, each rookie showed great flashes during their time in Las Vegas. Undoubtedly, they have skills and potential to be impactful players for Memphis in the future. Let’s explore the three reasons why the Memphis Grizzlies won the 2025 NBA Draft.

3 Reasons Why The Memphis Grizzlies Won The 2025 NBA Draft
#1: Defense First

One of the big successes in terms of Memphis’s draft is the excellent defensive personnel they obtained. Unquestionably, both Coward and Mashack have demonstrated themselves as highly impactful defenders at the college level. They both have the ideal size and athleticism to translate their skills over to the NBA. Not only that, but those aspects also allow them to be versatile defenders who can switch and guard multiple positions. Plus, both players have shown that they can be disruptive as defensive playmakers, generating steals, blocks, and deflections at a high level. Coward and Mashack can certainly give the Grizzlies strong defenders who can defend both on and off the ball.

As for Small, he will absolutely have certain defensive struggles due to his size at six-foot-two. However, Small has demonstrated that he will play hard and constantly pester those he’s defending. Similar to the other rookies, Small is also quite disruptive as a defensive playmaker, constantly keeping his hands active for opportunities to force turnovers.

#2: Adding To The Wings

Another reason why Memphis won the draft is its acquisition of additional wing depth. It is clearer now than ever before how critical it is to have 3-and-D wings on the roster. In Coward and Mashack, the Grizzlies have added two players who can defend on the wings and operate off-ball on offense. Based on the roster, Memphis only had Jaylen Wells, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Vince Williams Jr. as their wings.

While they have solid wing depth, the Grizzlies needed more wings to round out the roster and needed younger ones with the potential to stick around long-term. For Coward specifically, he has everything he needs to succeed as the perfect embodiment of the modern NBA wing. Adding someone like him to the roster will only fortify the wings and their defensive core.

#3: Replacing Desmond Bane’s Floor Spacing

Besides defense and wing depth, another core need for every team is shooting. In terms of finding that, the Grizzlies succeed in adding shooting in the form of Coward and Small. Both players possess excellent shooting forms that should translate to the next level. Coward projects to be an excellent shooter who operates well as a catch-and-shoot threat. Small is also a catch-and-shoot threat and someone who could knock down shots coming off of screens.

Undoubtedly, both players can provide floor spacing for Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., opening up the paint for them. Their shooting is a critical need for the team after Desmond Bane was traded to the Magic. Bane is one of the league’s premier shooters; thus, it was important for Memphis to find more shooting in the draft.

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