In a significant move within the NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies have officially acquired the No. 11 overall pick from the Portland Trail Blazers. This announcement comes via a press release from the Grizzlies, confirming the details of the transaction.
As reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, the Grizzlies will receive the No. 11 pick, which is currently held by forward Cedric Coward from Washington State. In exchange, the Trail Blazers will obtain the No. 16 overall pick, a future first-round selection, and two second-round picks, as outlined by Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Interestingly, the Trail Blazers opted to select Hansen Yang, a 7’2″ center from China, with the No. 16 pick, despite analysts projecting him to be a second-round talent. The future first-round pick sent to Portland is the Orlando Magic's selection for 2028, according to Charania.
Furthermore, the two second-round picks include Atlanta’s 2027 selection and Sacramento’s 2028 pick, as reported by Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian.
Cedric Coward had an abbreviated season at Washington State, playing only six games in the 2024/25 season due to a shoulder injury. Despite this setback, he showcased impressive statistics, averaging 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 55.7% from the field and 40.0% from beyond the arc.
Prior to his time at Washington State, the 6’6″ wing spent two years at Eastern Washington, where he averaged 11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds over 66 games. Additionally, he began his collegiate career at Willamette University in Oregon. Although Coward was initially ranked outside of the first round due to limited exposure against high-level competition, he significantly improved his draft stock during the pre-draft process, impressing NBA teams at the recent combine and in individual workouts.
This trade appears to be a strategic decision for both the Grizzlies and the Trail Blazers. The Grizzlies, who are in the midst of retooling their roster around stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., view Coward as a valuable addition who can contribute early in his career—provided he fully recovers from his shoulder injury before the season begins.
On the other hand, the Trail Blazers are strategically moving down five slots while acquiring valuable assets, which could benefit their future plans. This transaction is indicative of both teams' intentions as they navigate the complexities of the NBA draft and roster construction.
As the NBA landscape continues to evolve, this trade between the Grizzlies and Trail Blazers marks a notable moment, with both franchises making calculated moves to strengthen their respective futures.
