The Memphis Grizzlies climbed the board on lottery night to No. 3 — and the player who could be sitting there is the reigning national Player of the Year.
The chain is simple: AJ Dybantsa goes to Washington at No. 1, the Jazz face the Peterson-or-Boozer fork at No. 2, and whichever player Utah passes on lands in Memphis. On most boards, that's Cameron Boozer — a Naismith and AP Player of the Year falling to third because the two prospects ahead of him are that good, not because of anything he did.
The fit is intriguing. Boozer next to Jaren Jackson Jr. gives Memphis a frontcourt with shooting, passing, and rebounding, and lets the Grizzlies develop a 20-and-10 forward on a roster that can afford patience. The defensive questions that scouts raise about Boozer matter less on a team with JJJ's rim protection to cover for him.
The alternative scenario — Utah taking Boozer and leaving Darryn Peterson for Memphis — would hand the Grizzlies a high-scoring guard instead, a different but equally interesting outcome behind Ja Morant. Either way, jumping to No. 3 in a class with this kind of top-end talent means Memphis cannot miss on a foundational piece.
The full post-lottery order is on our 2026 NBA Draft Board.