The Grizzlies are heading into their first full season without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., and that alone makes this a strange new chapter in Memphis. The franchise was sitting in the West’s two spot in early 2025. Now it’s in rebuild mode after a wild offseason that included a frontcourt retool and the selection of Cam Boozer with the third overall pick out of Duke before Morant was traded just days later.
That kind of turnover would usually leave a team staring at a long climb back. Memphis, though, does have some reasons to feel better about where this is headed.
Before the offseason shakeup, the roster already had encouraging young pieces like Cedric Coward and Zach Edey, plus a strong stash of draft capital over the next seven seasons. That gives the Grizzlies a real foundation, and Boozer looks like the kind of player who can accelerate everything.
The buzz around Boozer has only grown, and the latest NBA GM Survey backs that up. In the 2026-27 survey, Boozer led all rookies in Rookie of the Year predictions with 50% of the vote. Caleb Wilson followed at 20%, while AJ Dybantsa got 17% and Darryn Peterson received 13%.
For Memphis, that’s a pretty loud signal. Boozer’s game appears tailor-made to earn responsibility quickly, and among the top names in the class, he may be best positioned to handle the kind of usage that can drive early production. That matters on a team that can give him room to operate right away.
His offensive profile already looks polished. Boozer’s playmaking is advanced for his age, his shooting release has clearly come along since college, and he can score off the dribble. Concerns about his athleticism from the pre-draft process no longer seem like much of a drag based on what he’s shown lately.
There’s still the defensive side to sort through, but the early signs are encouraging there too. Boozer moves well for his size, and he wasn’t shy about taking on tough assignments against Jalen Johnson and Paolo Banchero this preseason. With his basketball IQ already standing out, a meaningful defensive jump as a rookie - and beyond that - is very much in play.
Even if the scoring totals don’t jump off the page every night, Boozer already makes winning plays. He can pass, set screens and attack the glass, and those little things matter. In Tuomas Iisalo’s offense, he should also have a chance to pile up numbers anyway.
That’s why Boozer feels like such an important piece for Memphis right now. The roster has changed dramatically over the last 18 months, but he has the kind of all-around game that can help the Grizzlies get back to winning faster than expected. Like Zach Edey’s impact in his 11 games last season, Boozer has a path to making his presence felt quickly - even as a rookie.
In Other News...
Grizzlies Could Make A Surprise GG Jackson Decision Soon
With the roster deadline for the upcoming NBA season closing in, the Grizzlies have already started trimming the edges of the roster as they sort out their final plans. One of the more interesting names in the mix is GG Jackson II, whose situation has drawn enough attention that Memphis is being linked to a wider discussion about how to manage young talent, roster spots and future flexibility at the same time.
Jake Fischer reported that Memphis has been looking at trade markets for Jackson and Walter Clayton Jr., which adds another layer to what has already become a busy stretch for the front office. Jacksons value appears tied to both his upside and what other teams might need, with possible fits like Charlotte and Portland emerging as teams to watch as the Grizzlies decide whether to keep him in the fold or turn him into future assets. [Read more 🡒]
Grizzlies Rookie Is Already Forcing A Debate Rockets Fans Will Notice
Cameron Boozer has already made himself part of the conversation in Memphis after strong showings in Summer League and preseason, giving the Grizzlies a rookie whose early production is drawing real attention. The Duke product arrived with plenty of intrigue based on his college rsum, but it is the way he has carried that momentum into pro games that has people around the league starting to look ahead.
For the Grizzlies, the bigger question now is how far that early buzz can carry once the regular season starts and the games count for something. Boozer is the kind of rookie who can make a league-wide award race interesting if he keeps stacking good nights, but the path there is never simple for a young player, especially one trying to stand out on a team with other developing talent and a lot of moving parts around him. [Read more 🡒]
Grizzlies Fans Have A New Rookie Debate About Immediate Expectations
The early buzz around the 2026-27 rookie class is already giving Memphis fans something to argue about, and the conversation starts with how each top prospect might be used once he arrives in the league. The broader ranking points to players landing in situations that could shape their roles quickly, with names like Mikel Brown Jr. in Brooklyn, Darius Acuff Jr. in Sacramento and Caleb Wilson in Chicago drawing attention for the way their teams are built around them.
Cameron Boozer is part of that same debate, and for Grizzlies followers the appeal is obvious because the discussion is really about immediate opportunity as much as talent. Memphis has become the kind of place where a rookie can step into a meaningful role right away, so any fresh evaluation of the class naturally invites questions about how soon a new face can matter and where he fits in the pecking order. [Read more 🡒]