Latest news with #ZachKleiman
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward joins team in Vegas: 'Glad I was able to finally make it'
LAS VEGAS — Cedric Coward, the Memphis Grizzlies' 2025 first-round draft pick, has been noticeably missing from the bench during summer league action, but that's about to change. Coward arrived July 14 in Las Vegas to be with the Grizzlies for the remainder of summer league. The team had decided that it was best for him to continue rehabbing his shoulder in Memphis before joining his new teammates, something he had "mixed feelings" about. Advertisement He was scheduled to arrive on July 13 but was thwarted by a delayed flight. "I've been gone too long," Coward told The Commercial Appeal. "I'm glad I was able to finally make it." "I wanted to come and be around the team, but at the same time, I'm here now and that's all that matters," he added later. The Grizzlies have two more scheduled games in Las Vegas. Coward — who missed most of last season at Washington State because of the shoulder injury — was considered doubtful to play heading into summer league, and that hasn't changed. "No, I don't think we'll see him (play) during the summer league," Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said on July 12. Advertisement When Coward was introduced by the Grizzlies after the draft, he stated that he believed he could play right away. He reiterated that point in Las Vegas, but he seems to have a better understanding of the steps he'll take before getting game action. Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said Coward needed to go through contact drills before being cleared to play. "It's definitely still a process that's ongoing," Coward said. "To make sure you're building strength and to make sure you can hit the gas pedal right away into flooring instead of easing in. Honestly, it's gotten a lot further along than anticipated." For now, he will have to settle for watching his teammates, and he has done a lot of that, saying he has seen every minute of every game. Advertisement Memphis will be back in action on July 15 against the Golden State Warriors (9:30 p.m. CT, NBA TV). "I watch and see how I would fit in there and see what I can contribute to the team," Coward said. "Honestly, I just love the energy we play with, too." Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Cedric Coward joins Memphis Grizzlies at summer league, talks injury
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson among Memphis Grizzlies players on summer league roster
The Memphis Grizzlies announced their summer league roster on July 4, and it includes some familiar names. Jaylen Wells, Cam Spencer and GG Jackson are among the returning Grizzlies players included on the roster. Rookies Cedric Coward, Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack are also listed. Advertisement Mashack's availability is pending an NBA trade that hasn't been finalized. Small is expected to play, but Memphis may be without its first round pick. Coward is doubtful to play in summer league, a Grizzlies spokesperson told The Commercial Appeal. He continues to rehab a shoulder injury that limited him to six games last season at Washington State. After being acquired by the Grizzlies with No. 11 overall pick, Coward told media that he feels ready, but the decision would ultimately be up to his medical team. Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said that Coward had on only done 1-on-0 drills, so the team would need to see him in 5-on-5 full contact workouts to fully clear him. Center Will Magnay is also questionable to play due to a wrist injury. The Grizzlies will begin summer league action in Salt Lake City on July 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder (6 p.m., ESPNU). Advertisement After three games in Utah, Memphis will then head to Las Vegas for four more games, beginning July 11. Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies summer league roster includes Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. gets big injury update after $240 million contract
The post Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. gets big injury update after $240 million contract appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Memphis Grizzlies have lost some key pieces so far in the 2025 offseason. Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman traded away Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic and lost Luke Kennard to the Atlanta Hawks. They were able to sign Ja Morant's co-star, Jaren Jackson Jr., to a five-year, $240 million contract, but the forward suffered a foot injury earlier this week. Advertisement The All-Star forward was dealt a turf toe injury during a live basketball run, according to the Memphis' social media. The team's doctors examined the injury and determined that their young star requires a procedure. Luckily for the team, Jackson Jr. will make a complete recovery, but it could take up to three months. Unfortunately, there is no timetable for the former Defensive Player of the Year's return. Foot injuries are dangerous among basketball players, especially when big men suffer them. The injury comes at an inopportune time for the Grizzlies. Kleiman gave Jackson Jr. the maximum extension he was looking for. The Grizzlies committed almost a quarter of a billion dollars in to the seven-year pro. It is the biggest contract the team has ever offered to a player. Jackson Jr. became Memphis' leader over the course of the season as Morant struggled with injuries. Head coach Tomas Iisalo lost his point guard during the first round against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the postseason after a hip injury knocked the Grizzlies point guard out of the game. Advertisement Morant and Jackson Jr. are both on long-term deals, but the team's outlook looks far different than last season. Without Bane on the roster, more pressure is on the team's duo of All-Stars to produce on the offensive end of the floor. In a Western Conference full of stars, Iisalo and the Grizzlies have their work cut out for them. They hope that Jaren Jackson Jr. will be back in time for the beginning of the season. If he isn't, Morant will have to play at an All-NBA level in order to keep the team afloat. Related: Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. reacts to $240 million contract Related: Grading Jaren Jackson Jr.'s $240 million Grizzlies contract in 2025 NBA free agency
New York Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies agree to 5-year, $240 million max extension: Source
The Memphis Grizzlies and Jaren Jackson Jr. have re-negotiated his deal and agreed to a five-year, $240 million maximum extension, which will go down as the most expensive contract in franchise history, a league source told The Athletic. Jackson's new contract will begin in the 2025-26 season and will run through the 2030-31 season. It includes a player option for 2029-30, a league source told The Athletic. Advertisement Jackson, 25, is coming off arguably his best statistical season as a pro, and his new deal solidifies him as one of the cornerstones in Memphis as the franchise heads into somewhat of a transition period. After Memphis was swept in the first round of the playoffs by eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Grizzlies lead executive Zach Kleiman said he needed to make some tough decisions about the core of his team and how they'd move forward. He followed that up by trading emotional leader Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in a blockbuster deal that sent Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony four first-round picks and a 2029 first-round pick swap back to Memphis. The deal officially split up a Jackson, Bane and Ja Morant trio that won 48+ games together in three of the last four seasons. Signing Jackson to a new, lucrative extension while also paying out expensive deals to Morant and Bane would have made it very difficult for the Grizzlies to build out the rest of the roster and retain crucial pieces, such as restricted free agent Santi Aldama. Now, the Grizzlies intend to rearrange their books and commit to Jackson and Morant as the two unquestioned leaders of the franchise. In 2025-26, Jackson averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. He finished the season with career highs in 3-pointers made (146) and points in the paint (824). Jackson is a former Defensive Player of the Year winner and one of the more dynamic rim protectors in the NBA. But the gradual improvement he's made on the other end of the court has turned him into one of the more valuable assets in the league. After the season, Jackson was voted second-team All-Defense and fell just a few votes short of making an All-NBA team for the first time in his career. As the Western Conference continues to grow more treacherous, the Grizzlies will attempt to build around a youngerfoundation, with hopes of developing young role players such as Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey and 2025 first-round pick Cedric Coward, while also remaining competitive enough to keep Morant and Jackson in the mix for a potential deep playoff run.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grizzlies GM admits Desmond Bane trade is ‘great' for Magic
The post Grizzlies GM admits Desmond Bane trade is 'great' for Magic appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Memphis Grizzlies kicked off their 2025 offseason with a seismic trade, sending star guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and multiple draft picks. The move, though controversial among Grizzlies fans, was acknowledged by general manager Zach Kleiman as a significant gain for Orlando. Advertisement 'I think it's a great trade for Orlando. I hope it will be a win-win over time,' Kleiman said during his first public comments following the trade, via Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian. He cited financial constraints under the new CBA's first and second apron restrictions as a major factor in moving Bane. With Jaren Jackson Jr. due for a contract extension, retaining both Jackson and Bane would have likely pushed the Grizzlies into an unsustainable cap situation, with three players potentially earning over $40 million annually. Bane's departure left a notable void on the roster, and Memphis acted swiftly to address it. Initially holding the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies traded up to No. 11 in a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. In exchange for the higher pick, Memphis sent Portland the rights to Yang Hansen (No. 16), a future first-rounder, and two future second-round picks. With the 11th pick, the Grizzlies selected Cedric Coward, a 6-foot-5 wing from Washington State. Despite a limited sample size, just six games due to injury, Coward posted impressive averages of 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. He also shot 55.7% from the field, 40.0% from 3, and 83.9% from the free-throw line. Prior to transferring, Coward was named to the 2023–24 All-Big Sky First Team and NABC All-District 6 First Team at Eastern Washington. Advertisement Coward is viewed as a high-upside replacement for Desmond Bane, especially given his three-point shooting ability and defensive potential. He possesses a 7-foot-2 wingspan and demonstrated the athleticism to guard multiple positions. With Coward joining promising rookie Jaylen Wells on the wing, the Grizzlies are leaning into a younger core to support Morant and Jackson Jr. Memphis still holds the 48th and 56th picks in the second round of the draft, leaving the door open for further roster changes. Related: Malika Andrews makes 'Colin Cowherd' gaffe for Cedric Coward pick Related: Grizzlies land rising star Cedric Coward in No. 11 pick trade with Blazers
