The Memphis Grizzlies have put together a 2026 NBA Draft class that’s turning heads, led by the promising talent of Cam Boozer. With the draft now behind us, the Grizzlies' selections are earning high praise across the board, particularly from draft expert Sam Vecenie, who awarded them an A+ grade. This is a big deal, considering Vecenie only handed out four A+ grades league-wide, with the Grizzlies sharing the honor with the Jazz, Kings, and Wizards.
So, what makes the Grizzlies' draft haul so special? Vecenie highlighted the team's strategic moves and value acquisition as his favorite of the draft.
Starting with the Nos. 3, 16, and 32 picks, Memphis maneuvered to end up with players ranked Nos. 2, 24, and 26 on Vecenie's board. Along the way, they also nabbed one of the league's top backup centers and secured two additional second-round picks.
That’s some savvy front-office work by Zach Kleiman and company.
Cam Boozer, fresh off a standout season at Duke, is the crown jewel of this draft class. His potential as a franchise cornerstone is evident, but it's what the Grizzlies did after picking him that really sets this class apart.
Initially, there was some head-scratching when the Grizzlies traded back five spots in the first round. However, their subsequent moves silenced any doubters.
By trading with the Thunder and Pistons, they amassed a total of five second-round picks and selected 19-year-old Karim Lopez from the New Zealand Breakers.
Lopez is a bit of a project, no doubt. His game is raw, and his jumpshot needs work, but his experience in the physically demanding NBL has prepared him well. His rebounding and off-ball skills are promising, and if he can develop his on-ball creation, he could be a steal for the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies didn’t stop there. On Day 2, they made another savvy pick, opting for BYU’s Richie Saunders at No.
- Saunders, known for his rebounding tenacity and sharpshooting, could be a valuable asset despite recovering from an ACL injury.
A two-way contract might be in the cards as he heals.
In a shrewd move, the Grizzlies traded for Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart, using the three second-round picks acquired from the Pistons. Stewart, a solid backup center and rim protector, brings a touch of the old Grit and Grind spirit back to Memphis.
All in all, the Grizzlies' draft strategy was nothing short of a masterclass. With three players who had first-round grades from Vecenie and the addition of Stewart, the Grizzlies are poised to make a strong push back into playoff contention. Fans in Memphis have every reason to be excited about the future.
In Other News...
Grizzlies Just Took A Dangerous Turn For One Trusted Piece
Memphis spent the draft signaling a different kind of frontcourt, taking Cam Boozer and Karim Lopez in the first round before adding Isaiah Stewart shortly after selecting Richie Saunders. For a team that has leaned on Santi Aldama as a versatile piece, the influx of bigger, more physical options changes the conversation around what the rotation is supposed to look like and who fits where once the dust settles.
Aldamas situation is complicated by both timing and track record. He had been on a three-year deal signed in the 2025 offseason and was coming off career-best production before a knee procedure interrupted that momentum, but the new additions give the Grizzlies real flexibility and leave his long-term role less certain than it looked a few months ago. If Memphis decides to keep reshaping its frontcourt, Aldama is suddenly one of the more interesting pieces on the board. [Read more 🡒]
Why The Grizzlies Took A Risk On Richie Saunders At 32
The Grizzlies used the 32nd pick on Richie Saunders, betting on a BYU wing whose appeal is tied more to fit than flash. Memphis is looking at a player with real off-ball scoring ability and movement shooting touch, and the front office clearly decided those traits were worth targeting late in the second round, even with some added layers of risk.
Saunders also brings the kind of questions that usually follow a pick like this. He will be 25 when he begins his NBA career, and his path has been complicated by an ACL tear in February, which leaves Memphis weighing patience against the need to extract value from a roster that does not have endless room to stash a prospect. [Read more 🡒]
Ja Morant Situation Suddenly Feels Much Bigger For The Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have made it clear they are ready to move on from Ja Morant, but the process has been far messier than the decision. Memphis has spent the offseason leaning into a younger core after recent roster changes, and the front office is trying to reshape the team around players who fit the next phase better, even with Morant still on the books.
What complicates everything is the combination of his injury history, his massive contract and the salary-cap math that comes with any deal. A few teams have shown only limited interest, others none at all, and that leaves Memphis in a position where it may have to rethink how aggressive it can be if it wants to get something done rather than simply wait for the market to change. [Read more 🡒]