The Memphis Grizzlies are projected to retain the third overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, based on early signals from league insiders following the lottery results.
Grizzlies president Zach Kleiman has a history of aggressively moving up in the draft rather than trading down, most recently securing Cedric Coward at No. 11 last June. Sources suggest Memphis will still have access to at least two of the draft’s elite prospects at the No. 3 spot.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer, and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson are seen as potential choices, depending on how the first two picks fall. These three, together with AJ Dybantsa, have formed the consensus top tier of this draft class.
“I wasn’t really worried about picks 14 to 3,” Dybantsa told reporters after the lottery, reflecting confidence he will be taken within the first two selections.
Utah Jazz president Austin Ainge brings experience with high-profile draft-day trades. While with the Boston Celtics, he helped engineer the 2017 deal that sent the No. 1 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers. That move allowed Philadelphia to select Markelle Fultz first overall, while Boston moved down and drafted Jayson Tatum at No. 3.
