Breaking Down Grizzlies’ Best All-Star Candidates

The NBA All-Star weekend has passed, and the Memphis Grizzlies were represented in the Rising Stars Challenge. Second-year players Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer took part, while rookie Cedric Coward missed it due to injury. Now, pinpointing the Grizzlies’ best All-Star candidates becomes the forefront of the franchise.

Projecting future All-Stars is never just about talent. Opportunity, role, health, and development curves matter just as much as raw ability. For the Grizzlies, that conversation carries added intrigue as the roster continues to evolve through youth movement, injuries, and shifting priorities.

While Memphis may not have boasted an All-Star this season, several players have positioned themselves within striking distance of that trajectory. The Grizzlies’ best All-Star candidates appear to be recent successful draft selections. Here’s a closer look at who they are.

Breaking Down the Grizzlies’ Best All-Star Candidates

Cedric Coward Represents the Grizzlies’ Best All-Star Candidate

What separates Coward from typical breakout candidates is the completeness of his impact. He doesn’t rely on one-dimensional scoring bursts. He influences games across multiple categories, including perimeter defense, shot creation, and rebounding. The coaching staff trusts him because his contributions don’t disrupt team structure, and that trust matters in All-Star projections.

Coward’s statistical growth aligns with visible on-court confidence. He attacks mismatches decisively, reads defensive coverages with maturity, and consistently delivers within high-leverage possessions. Also, his defensive versatility allows Memphis to deploy flexible lineups. His production and mentality gave the Grizzlies the confidence trigger a rebuild when things didn’t pan out with their former stars.

Most importantly, Coward’s trajectory feels sustainable. When thinking of the Grizzlies’ best All-Star candidates, no player symbolizes that more than Coward. He is currently top five in rookie scoring (13.3) and rebounds (6.2) per game. If Coward continues expanding his offensive assertiveness while maintaining defensive reliability, his All-Star case could accelerate quickly. Among Memphis’ developing core, he holds the clearest path to an invite to the All-Star Game.

Zach Edey is a Promising Choice

Zach Edey’s All-Star outlook sits in a different category as an ankle injury derailed his sophomore season. However, his brief time on the court this season was Memphis’ best stretch. Edey’s presence alone alters Memphis’ identity. His size, rebounding dominance, and interior efficiency give the Grizzlies advantages only a few teams can replicate. Opponents must game-plan around him, which is a foundational trait of high-impact players.