Cedric Coward was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. You know, the pick that the Portland Trail Blazers initially had before trading back with the Memphis Grizzlies to reach for Yang Hansen. We're now at the halfway point of the 2025-26 season, and Coward is already making the Blazers second-guess this draft-day trade.
The league covets 3-and-D wings, and the Grizzlies were able to steal one by trading up with the Blazers. Coward currently ranks fifth in the Kia Rookie Ladder, averaging 13.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game on 47/34/85 shooting splits.
Cedric Coward should've been a Portland Trail Blazer
Between Coward, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, and Cam Spencer, Memphis has quietly assembled a promising up-and-coming core, which could influence how they navigate the trade deadline with stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Meanwhile, the Blazers could take an opposite approach as buyers at the deadline. But it's because their young core is ready to take that next step, proving they've developed too much for this team to effectively bottom out. Some of that played a role in their decision to swing for the fences with Hansen, knowing that their future outlook is already in good shape regardless of how this shocking selection pans out.
But it's a good thing that the Blazers aren't overly reliant on their incoming rookie, because Hansen has struggled on both ends of the court, failing to make an immediate impact like Coward and countless others in this loaded draft class.
One silver lining is that Portland was able to come away with a future first-round pick (via Orlando) as a result of the trade. But while trading down five spots to pick up an additional first-rounder appears to be good value in a vacuum, it's not as exciting once you put players to the picks. We're taking Coward over Hansen and draft capital every time, especially after considering that the Magic are on track to contend in 2028.
To make matters worse, Coward is proving to be precisely what this Blazers roster is missing. He'd help address two of their most significant roster flaws: shooting and wing depth.
And while it's not fair to directly compare Coward and Hansen as the two are on very different career trajectories, Portland suddenly finds itself in need of more immediate impact players as it looks to fight for a spot in the postseason. Coward would've gone a long way toward helping them both now and in the future, yet Portland is left wondering exactly what they have in their rookie.