Is the Grizzlies wing a Caris LeVert, a Khris Middleton, or a Paul George? Breaking down Cedric Coward's realistic range of outcomes after his rookie year.
The Memphis Grizzlies have high hopes for forward Cedric Coward. Who does he compare to?
Some fans are already annoyed. They hate player comparisons. To be sure, this can be a limited way to view an NBA player. Why can't Coward be his own man?
That said: Lighten up. Have a little fun. Player comparisons are a way for NBA history nerds to contextualize someone. As long as they don't hold to those comparisons too strictly, they have some utility.
So, here's a floor, median, and ceiling comparison for the No. 11 pick Memphis traded up to get in 2025.
Floor: Caris LeVert
There was a time when LeVert was seen as having star potential. He never quite got there.
To be sure, he nearly got there. LeVert averaged 20.7 points per game for the Indiana Pacers in 2020-21. He played just 35 games, and the reason was serious: his physical after the four-team James Harden trade revealed a left kidney carcinoma, and he didn't return from surgery until March. But health wasn't the only factor that held him back from stardom. LeVert hit just 31.8% of his threes, which would be a theme throughout his career.
It's a pitfall Coward must avoid. He needs to build on the 33.8% he hit on 4.4 attempts per game in 2025-26, and Salt Lake City wasn't encouraging on that front. He went 6-of-21 from deep in Utah this summer. That said, he's arguably already a better defender than LeVert ever was:
Perhaps there's a better median outcome for him.
Median: Khris Middleton
If Coward does bear resemblance to Middleton, much of it is owed to his midrange mastery.
Coward hit 48.5% of his jumpers between 10 and 16 feet in 2025-26. It's a far cry from the 54.5% Middleton hit in 2019-20, but it's a good number for a rookie who finished the year at 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists with a 58.5% true shooting percentage.
Otherwise, we're looking at 3-and-D wings who can create shots on a secondary level. These are highly coveted NBA players who tend to fit perfectly alongside an offensive centerpiece like Giannis Antetokounmpo, or like Cameron Boozer.
Coward should be watching Middleton tape. His footwork, craft, and variety of fakes out of a triple-threat stance have led to a very successful career.
That said, if everything goes just right, there's an even better player Coward could resemble.
Ceiling: Paul George
I know, I know. Everyone's Paul George (or Kawhi Leonard) until they're not Paul George or Kawhi Leonard.
It's unlikely that Coward will reach George's level. This is a player who's earned serious MVP consideration at times in his career, finishing third in the voting in 2018-19. Consider George the moon that Coward should reach for so that either way, he lands in the stars.
That said: Who knows? NBA development can take unexpected turns. Coward already showed the range of a player who can grow into more, hitting 73.4% of his attempts inside 3 feet and 84.3% of his free throws as a rookie. For now, all he can do is continue working on his game. He shouldn't get caught up in comparisons:
Even if they're a little bit fun.
