Cedric Coward was selected to be the future at the franchise's wing position.
The Grizzlies' willingness to trade two of their first-round draft picks obtained by the Orlando Magic to trade up to select Cedric Coward showed they believe in him to solve their small forward problem. The small forward position is one of the most important positions in the NBA, as that position has consisted of the best player on championship-level teams more often than not.
Following a 2023 rookie campaign that saw him garner All-Rookie second team honors, GG Jackson was looked at as the small forward the team had been searching for since trading Rudy Gay during the 2013 season.