Memphis Grizzlies' Top Needs After 2026 NBA Draft Lottery Results

The NBA Draft lottery is in the books, and the Memphis Grizzlies are now set at pick No. 3.

As they continue to evaluate the prospects who may be available there, we're here to break down the biggest needs for Memphis to address in the draft.

Franchise Cornerstone

In the last year, the Memphis Grizzlies have unloaded Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. in rebuild-focused trades. Ja Morant is still on the roster, but the overhaul happening around him suggests Memphis would gladly welcome a new franchise cornerstone.

And to that end, this is a team that can almost ignore specific needs and just lean into a "best player available" approach. Whoever that may be, his position shouldn't be the critical factor.

Frontcourt Depth

Having said that, Memphis does have interesting young talents it drafted in the last couple years in Cedric Coward on the wing and Zach Edey inside. The problem is that Edey is often hurt. One of his backups (Brandon Clarke) is too.

So if the best player available happens to be a big man, even better.

Realistic Draft Targets at No. 3 Pick

• AJ Dybantsa (BYU, SF)
• Darryn Peterson (Kansas, SG)
• Cameron Boozer (Duke, PF)
• Caleb Wilson (North Carolina, PF)

The Grizzlies will do their due diligence, scouting prospects outside the consensus Top 3. Guards Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas) and Keaton Wagler (Illinois) have a lot to offer, as does North Carolina power forward Caleb Wilson—someone who feels like he could be closer to top-3 status coming out of the Combine. 

But at the No. 3 pick, Memphis shouldn't overthink things, taking whichever tier-1 prospect is still on the board between AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. 

At this point, that's unlikely to be Dybantsa, who has been the No. 1 pick across mock drafts for months. 

Also, according to B/R NBA Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman, "As of now, before medicals or interviews, scouts sound more enticed by Darryn Peterson's upside than Cameron Boozer's."

Peterson, as a 6'6" guard, would bring good size and elite shotmaking skills to the table, both on and off the ball. Boozer is a 6'9", 250-pound big who spreads the floor (39.1 percent from three) and creates for others.

Overall, Memphis can decide whether Peterson or Boozer sits higher on their draft boards. But ultimately, they'll be happy taking whoever is still available with the third overall selection. 

That is, unless Wilson enters the chat in a real way after the Combine, which could throw Mock Drafts for a loop come June.

*Check out full scouting reports for AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson.