The Memphis Grizzlies are broadly anticipated to maintain the No. 3 total choose within the 2026 NBA Draft, based on early league expectations following the lottery outcomes.
Grizzlies president Zach Kleiman has constructed a repute for aggressively shifting up in drafts moderately than buying and selling down. Most just lately, Memphis traded as much as choose Cedric Coward with the No. 11 choose final June.
League insiders imagine Memphis will nonetheless have entry to not less than two of the draft’s prime prospects at No. 3.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke ahead Cameron Boozer and North Carolina ahead Caleb Wilson are all considered as potential choices relying on how the primary two alternatives unfold.
These three gamers, together with AJ Dybantsa, have emerged because the consensus prime 4 prospects within the class.
“I wasn’t actually frightened about picks 14 to three,” Dybantsa instructed reporters after the lottery, signaling confidence that he can be chosen inside the first two picks.
Utah Jazz president Austin Ainge is accustomed to main draft-day trades involving prime alternatives.
Throughout his time with the Boston Celtics, Ainge helped execute the 2017 deal that despatched the No. 1 choose to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia chosen Markelle Fultz first total, whereas Boston moved down and drafted Jayson Tatum at No. 3.
Wizards, Jazz Open To Buying and selling Down From High Two Picks After NBA Draft Lottery https://t.co/OXCMQTzUui
— RealGM (@RealGM) Could 11, 2026