The Memphis Grizzlies are hosting a free watch party on the first day of the 2026 NBA Draft.
After a brutal 2025-26 season that saw the Memphis Grizzlies lose 57 games and fall out of playoff contention, fans of the franchise need something to get excited about, and the 2026 NBA Draft may be just the thing.
The Grizzlies currently have three picks in the upcoming draft, including two first-rounders, and on the first day of the draft, the team will host a free watch party for fans at FedExForum.
Jonah Dylan of Memphis Commercial Appeal relayed some details. Doors will open for the event at 6 p.m. CT on June 23, with the draft set to begin at 7 p.m. CT. The night will feature live performances, giveaways and more.
On the night of the watch party, the Grizzlies will make picks at No. 3 and No. 16 overall, barring any draft pick trading. The organization won the No. 3 pick thanks to a little bit of luck in the lottery this year.
Memphis is also currently scheduled to pick early in the second round at No. 32 overall. That part of the draft will take place the following day on June 24.
While every pick the Grizzlies make matters, there's no doubt that a majority of the attention is on the No. 3 selection right now. The last time the franchise picked this high in a draft was in 2019, when Memphis selected star guard Ja Morant at No. 2 overall.
Morant has had his fair share of ups and downs during his Grizzlies tenure, but he is a two-time All-Star who certainly brought some excitement to the organization after being drafted.
As of now, it is unclear who the Grizzlies will select at No. 3 overall this year. They can spend all the time they want focusing on who they prefer, but ultimately, they cannot control what the board will look like by the time they're on the clock.
If AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson are off the board by the time Memphis is up, the choice may come down to Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson. There is a lot of talent at the top of the draft, which should leave the Grizzlies in a win-win situation by the time they have to pick.
Of course, just because the No. 3 pick gets the most attention doesn't mean the team can neglect its selections at No. 16 and No. 32. If Memphis keeps those picks, it will have a chance to add even more rookie talent that could make an impact.
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