Former BYU wing Richie Saunders is heading into his first pro season in an unusual spot. The No. 32 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft is on the Memphis Hustle training camp roster, according to a Grizzlies press release, a move that points to a G League deal and a domestic draft-and-stash setup for 2026/27.
That path makes sense given Saunders’ situation. He tore his ACL in February and could spend a sizable chunk of the season getting back from the knee injury. A player taken that high usually lands a three- or four-year NBA contract, often with guaranteed money attached, but Saunders’ injury made his case more complicated than most second-round picks.
The arrangement could still change later in the year. It would not be surprising if Saunders begins with the Hustle and then signs a standard NBA contract after the trade deadline, when Memphis may have more room on its roster and his recovery could be close to finished.
At media day last month, Grizzlies head of basketball operations Zach Kleiman described the team’s plan as a “ wait and see ” approach. Memphis had been dealing with a roster crunch then, and the situation hasn’t eased much - the Grizzlies currently have 15 players on standard deals and all three two-way spots filled.
Saunders, a 6’5″ shooting guard, spent four seasons at BYU and earned All-Big 12 honors as both a junior and senior. In 25 appearances last season, he put up 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game while shooting .489/.376/.817.
He was one of two unsigned 2026 draft picks, along with Vsevolod Ishchenko.
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Ty Jerome's Scoring Explosion Leaves Grizzlies With One Big Question
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The bigger question is whether this start can hold once the season settles in and the competition tightens. Memphis has reason to enjoy the burst Jerome is giving them, but the early production also comes with a reminder that this kind of workload is hard to maintain over six months, especially if the teams context forces him into a different role as the schedule and defensive attention pick up. [Read more 🡒]