Memphis landed Cameron Boozer at No. 3, then traded down twice and still got Karim López at No. 21 — plus five future second-round picks. A masterclass from Zach Kleiman.
The best player in any given NBA draft isn't necessarily the one picked first. Drafting is an inexact science. Scouting can be flawed, and luck is a variable.
The number one pick tends to become a star, but nothing is guaranteed. So if you think the Memphis Grizzlies landed the draft's best player in Cameron Boozer at No. 3, it's a defensible position.
Grizzlies Land Franchise Player in Cameron Boozer
Boozer wasn't just the most productive player in college basketball last season. By some measures, he put together one of the most productive freshman seasons in recent memory. His 17.1 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) led the nation and was the highest mark since Zion Williamson's freshman year in 2019.
That doesn't guarantee he'll be an NBA superstar, but it's strong evidence. The eye test likes Boozer, too. He's a wildly skilled, big, strong forward who can operate as a playmaking hub at the NBA level.
I'm calling my shot: I think he'll be the best player in this draft. Time will tell. And grabbing Boozer wasn't the only strong move the Grizzlies made in the first round. They landed another intriguing prospect later on.
Grizzlies Grab Potential Steal in Karim López
In many mock drafts, Karim López was projected in the back end of the lottery. If the Grizzlies wanted him with their 16th pick, they figured they might have to trade up.
About that. Memphis traded down from No. 16 to No. 17. Then they traded down again, from No. 17 to No. 21. When they finally landed on their choice, López was still on the board. Oh, and the Grizzlies came away with five future second-round picks they hadn't had before.
This was a masterclass by Zach Kleiman. López has ample potential. He's a strong 6-foot-8 wing with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, and he should be a multipositional defender in the NBA. Offensively, he has a well-rounded skill set. López is an outstanding connective passer who can put the ball on the floor in a pinch. Shooting is his swing skill, but even if he never improves on the 32.6% he shot from three for the New Zealand Breakers last year, he can be a rotation player in the NBA.
What more could Memphis want with the No. 21 pick?
The Grizzlies Won the First Round of the 2026 NBA Draft
So, to recap. The Grizzlies got potentially the best player in the 2026 NBA Draft. They got a potential steal at No. 21, and they accumulated five future second-rounders in the process.
This organization won the draft. Time will tell if Boozer is as good as some suspect, and whether López can complement him. Nobody can predict the future, but as it stands, this was a wildly successful night for the Grizzlies' front office.
They couldn't have asked for a better start to the Boozer era.
Grizzlies Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Grizzlies. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
