Coward had a strong rookie year for the Memphis Grizzlies, and it looks like he's determined to get better.
The NBA Summer League serves several purposes. Largely, it's an opportunity for young players to get opportunities. That includes a wide group of players. Fans get the chance to see fringe NBAers do what they can to earn the league's attention.
That said, they also get to see what future stars have to offer. That could mean high-profile rookies. It could also mean sophomores. Even players who had quality rookie seasons may look to showcase their improvement in the summer showcase.
This summer, it seems that's what Cedric Coward will be doing for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Young Grizzlies star set to suit up this summer
Coward indicated in his 2025-26 exit interview that he planned on playing in the Summer League.
This is an exciting development. Let it be said that we've never seen Coward after a summer working on his game. He began his rookie year coming off an injury that kept him resting for most of the offseason.
In that context, Coward's rookie season was encouraging. Averages of 13.6 points and 5.9 rebounds are strong for any rookie. Coward was one of the league's best freshmen in 2025-26, and now, he's got an opportunity to work on his craft.
That said, there is work to be done. Coward shot just 33.8% from deep this year. It's not such a bad mark for a rookie, but on a long-term basis, he'll need to improve. In theory, Coward is a 3-and-D wing who can also create his own shots. If he's not a reliable three-point shooter, the rest of his game collapses.
Beyond that, Coward's decision to play in the Summer League speaks to his character. It's an opportunity to improve, and he's taking it. Grizzlies fans should be thrilled to see him ready to participate:
Who will his teammates be?
Grizzlies fans should keep an eye on Summer League
Walter Clayton Jr. ought to be there. After a challenging rookie year, he needs some polish. Clayton Jr. needs to improve his overall scoring efficiency, or else his place as an NBA rotation player could quickly be in peril.
Otherwise, the roster is a mystery as of now. Will Javon Small be on a standard contract? How about Rayan Rupert? He's also on a two-way deal, but showed enough this year to earn another look from Memphis.
Ultimately, it's hard to say who will be on the team's Summer League roster. More broadly, it's difficult to say who will be on the Grizzlies in the coming years. Above all else, it's exciting that Coward will be playing:
What else is the Summer League for?