NBA Exec Expects Memphis Grizzlies' Cameron Boozer to Win Rookie of the Year

The Memphis Grizzlies selected Cameron Boozer with the third overall pick in this year's draft and one NBA exec fully expects the Duke product 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. 

"Cam is already such a polished player," the NBA exec said. "Memphis is going to run a lot of its offense through him. His numbers are going to be too good for the voters not to vote for him."

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.”

The Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers this summer. Morant won the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year award. It would be fascinating to see Boozer win the award in the first season of the post-Morant era.