Memphis Grizzlies' Cameron Boozer Predicted to Tie Magic Johnson Record Next Season

Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes believes Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cameron Boozer will tie a Magic Johnson record next season.

Hughes thinks Boozer will get seven triple-doubles as a rookie. 

"The rookie record for triple-doubles is 26, set by Oscar Robertson in 1960-61," Hughes wrote. "Nobody's touching that, largely because defense was optional in that era and the pace of games was astronomically high. The modern record belongs to Ben Simmons, who racked up 12 in 2017-18. Luka Dončić is third with eight, and all-time great Magic Johnson is fourth with seven.

"That last figure feels about right for Cam Boozer, who was a double-double machine at Duke while averaging 4.1 assists per game. Great feel and court awareness are Boozer's defining traits. He will be surrounded by far better finishers in Memphis than he was in college. Assuming the Grizzlies give their prized rookie all he can eat in a key on-ball role, Boozer should be able to match Magic's seven triple-doubles en route to an easy All-Rookie nod."

Boozer won the Player of the Year award last season in college. The Duke forward averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 55.6% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 78.9% from the free-throw line.

In Summer League, Boozer played well, averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 45.2% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 77.3% from the free-throw line. The youngster made the Summer League First Team and led Memphis to the championship game, a contest the Golden State Warriors won. 

Boozer's combination of playmaking, physicality and positional flexibility as a 6-foot-10 forward has drawn comparisons to the multi-skilled roster construction that defined the New York Knicks' 2025-26 championship approach, per Tony Jones of The Athletic.

Boozer is the son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer. 

“Versatility is the name of the game. That’s what teams are looking for,” Cameron Boozer told The Athletic. “Teams want five guys who can make plays. Look at the Knicks this year. Everyone on that team was capable of doing more than one thing. Everyone was capable of playing on or off the basketball. That’s what I feel like I can do best. I can screen. I can handle it. You can put me in a lot of different scenarios.”

Cam was the third overall pick in this year's draft and one NBA exec fully expects him to win the 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year award.

"He's going to have such a high usage rate," an NBA exec told Grizzlies Roundtable. "His numbers will be inflated. I fully expect him to win Rookie of the Year. The other top guys have competition for shots. Cam doesn't."

AJ Dybantsa, the first pick, has All-Stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young on his team, so he will likely be the third option on the Washington Wizards. 

Darryn Peterson, the second pick, has Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ace Bailey and Keyonte George, so he will likely be the fourth or fifth option on the Utah Jazz.