Spurs' dream draft sleeper is there for the taking with the 14th pick

In every draft cycle, one player shoots up the board and quickly becomes a can't-miss prospect. This year, it is Washington State wing Cedric Coward.

The enticing draft riser started his career at Eastern Washington, played his way into transferring to a major school in Washington State, and was then on his way to Duke. That was before learning that his talents could earn him a spot in the NBA draft lottery. Coward's dedication, drive, and work ethic have risen him through the ranks, and now he finds himself days away from achieving his ultimate goal.

While a torn labrum ended what was a massive breakout season, Coward showed off elite skills that were enough to put him in the spot he is in today. Averaging 17.7 points, seven rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game last season, rival teams are lucky they didn't have to face the electric forward.

The versatile forward thrives as a three-level scorer

Coward possesses a rare three-level ability that you don't often see in college prospects. Most notably, the sharpshooter was lights-out from beyond the arc last season. Shooting 40% from three on five attempts per game. Even with the added volume year over year, Coward has maintained consistency from deep every step of the way.

With a clean, mastered, and persistent jump shot, the sniper has been as reliable as they come. Shooting 6-13 on unguarded threes through six games this past season and 51.2% in the 2023-24 season, Coward can always be trusted to splash the easy looks. For a Spurs offense that will attract a ton of attention elsewhere, having a steady outside shooter is immensely valuable.

However, Coward isn't just a great three-point shooter; his solid stroke also translates to the mid-range game. He can quickly adjust to his surroundings, pulling up from anywhere on the court or driving to the rim.

The mobile forward excels at moving off the ball to stay ready for the best shot and can capitalize on whatever pass he receives. Coward has a smooth touch around the rim and uses his upper-body strength to win post-up battles.

As Coward plays well off the looks his team creates, he can also create plays for others. With excellent vision, he displayed strong playmaking abilities and a willingness to get his teammates involved. As the Spurs look for creation off the bench, the playmaking wing would shine in a bench role, making things happen for himself and others around him.

Cedric Coward's length ignites impeccable defensive upside

As a wing, Coward has intriguing measurables. Standing at 6'6" with a long 7'2" wingspan, the Washington State Cougar has ideal NBA size and can be used in a multitude of ways.

On the glass, Coward showed a nose for the ball. He is not afraid to do the dirty work and fight his way towards a valuable rebound. Averaging seven boards on the season, Coward proved he will be a top-notch rebounder in the NBA.

Most excitingly, the protracted wing has the traits to be a dominant defender in the NBA. While still raw in this aspect, Coward gives his all and is an excellent mover on the court. As he does on offense, Coward roams around the half-court looking for every opportunity to get involved. Staying active, he put up 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals per game last season.

With his tools and the work of Mitch Johnson, Coward can blossom into an All-Defensive team caliber defender for the Spurs. If he can hit his ceiling, the Spurs could have their hands on the exact player they need to assist Victor Wembanyama in creating a top-of-the-league defense.

Should we ignore the concerns?

Although Coward is a strikingly intriguing prospect, he is by no means perfect. He would be a big gamble at pick 14, no matter his traits. The Spurs are looking to win now, so they can't afford to swing and miss on a valuable pick.

He appears to have completely recovered from his torn labrum in 2024, but the injury may still linger for some time. You can't play around with these types of injuries; he will always be at risk of reinjuring it.

With the serious injury removing him from play early on, we didn't get a full sample size of his current self at Washington State. The bulk of his tape comes from playing weaker competition at Eastern Washington. Trusting a player's talent playing in a lowly conference is difficult.

Were his six games a fluke, and can he replicate this success, taking a massive step up in competition in the NBA? It will be up to the Spurs to decide. Coward has the abilities of a long-lasting role player in the NBA but must prove that he is legit. Still, some gambles are justifiable, and the Spurs rolling the dice at pick 14 may be worthwhile with Coward.