Herrington: Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward lead deep cast of Grizzlies perimeter prospects
During the Memphis Grizzlies’ Open Practice on Oct. 4, rookie Cedric Coward (23) participates in the rookie dance contest. Forward Jaylen Wells (0) greets fans as he’s introduced. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Chris Herrington
Chris Herrington has covered the Memphis Grizzlies, in one way or another, since the franchise’s second season in Memphis, while also writing about music, movies, food and civic life. As far as he knows, he’s the only member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association who is also a member of a film critics group and has also voted in national music critic polls for Rolling Stone and the Village Voice (RIP). He and his wife have two kids and, for reasons that sometimes elude him, three dogs.
June 23, 2022: A day that will live in Memphis Grizzlies infamy.
That was the NBA Draft night when the Grizzlies, coming off a 56-win season and playoff advancement, decided to “triple down on youth,” adding rookie perimeter players Jake LaRavia, David Roddy, Kennedy Chandler and Vince Williams Jr., all but Williams via draft-night trades.
OK, so maybe ‘infamy’ is a little much. Some observers later saw that draft as a moment that shifted the franchise off course. True derailment really came a little later, with a battery of off-court incidents (Ja Morant) and even more damaging major injuries (Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, Morant).
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