ESPN Predicts Cameron Boozer To Make Biggest NBA Rookie Impact

ESPN has released its 2026-27 rookie impact projections, offering a look at where forward Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies rank among the league's incoming talent.

The 2026-27 NBA season is eight weeks and five days away, and the expectations for incoming rookies are mounting. Memphis, which recently traded guard Ja Morant, will be starting a new era.

With the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies selected Boozer from Duke. On Aug. 18, ESPN's insiders projected possible rookie outcomes for the upcoming season, and Boozer landed near the top of multiple categories.

The 6-foot-8 forward received the most votes for which lottery pick will have the biggest impact on winning this season. He finished with five votes, ahead of guard Darryn Peterson with four, forward AJ Dybantsa with one, forward Morez Johnson Jr. with one, and forward Yaxel Lendeborg with one.

ESPN reporter Jeremy Woo praised Boozer for his offensive polish and ability to process the game on both ends of the floor. Woo views the Duke product as the most NBA-ready player among the lottery picks.

Woo noted that Boozer could face challenges related to NBA size, athleticism, and pace, but believes the forward can adjust quickly. Last season, the Grizzlies finished 25-57 in their first full season under head coach Tuomas Iisalo.

Boozer also received seven votes as the rookie most likely to make an All-NBA team first, the most of any player in ESPN's poll.

Iisalo has an overall coaching record of 29-62 with Memphis. The 2026-27 season will be his second full season at the helm, giving him another year to implement his basketball philosophy and culture with a younger roster.

ESPN's Woo wrote that whatever success Memphis has this season will be tied to Boozer's readiness to help carry the team.

The Grizzlies will enter the 2026-27 season in a full rebuilding phase after trading Morant and breaking up their previous core. Expectations this season will center on youth development, physical toughness, and growing pains under Iisalo.

The team's front office has emphasized building a physically and mentally tough identity with positional versatility.

Memphis will have two nationally televised games. The first comes against the Houston Rockets on Jan. 18 as part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Peacock and NBC Sports Network. The second will be against Morant and the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 6 on Prime Video.

On Oct. 21, Memphis will host the Utah Jazz, welcoming back former forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who was traded in February 2026. The matchup will mark the beginning of the Boozer era in Memphis.

Although the franchise is rebuilding, the expected starting lineup could feature guard Ty Jerome, guard Jaylen Wells, forward Cedric Coward, Boozer, and center Zach Edey.