All eyes remain on May 10 for Grizzlies fans. One thing is clear: the Grizzlies have plenty of options in a stacked 2026 NBA Draft. While it would be ideal for the team to pick in the top 4, there are plenty of quality options to consider inside the top 10. One of the lottery guard options the Grizzlies can't afford to overlook should also be Arizona's Brayden Burries.
Plenty of quality guards such as Keaton Wagler and Kingston Flemings have been linked to the Grizzlies in mock drafts, but Brayden Burries should be in the conversation. If the Grizzlies land in the top 5, Burries likely wouldn't be in play; however, if the pick is in the 6-10 range, his name is worth monitoring.
Like the other guards mentioned, Burries was also a one-and-done player. Burries had a strong freshman year for an Arizona Wildcats team that made its first Final Four since 2001. Despite Burries being an older freshman (turns 21 this fall), he should not be off the Grizzlies' board. The Grizzlies will likely trade Ja Morant this summer and will almost certainly come away with a guard this draft.
Burries would be an immediate offensive boost for the Grizzlies
There is plenty to like about Brayden Burries. Burries started in all 39 games and averaged 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 29.8 minutes per game. Burries also recorded a 61.6 TS% and had 49.1/39.1/80.5 shooting splits. Burries was an impressive offensive engine for a team that has plenty of NBA talent for the 2026 and 2027 draft cycles.
The Grizzlies need more effective players off the bounce and strong finishers, and Burries fits that to perfection. Burries is also a very comfortable operator out of pick-and-rolls and is a strong transition scorer, which has proven to matter significantly in this year's NBA playoffs so far. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, Burries plays with physicality and is able to score in a variety of ways.
Burries brings the toughness Grizzlies fans badly want
Even though it should not be expected for Burries to be a star right away, he has the scoring abilities needed to be an immediate impact player in Memphis. Matt Babcock, an NBA Draft Analyst, had the following to say about Burries:
"I love Burries’ toughness and maturity. He was already capable of scoring in multiple ways, and he’s now developed into a reliable shooter, too. He was a huge part of Arizona’s success this past season. He has a bright future." - Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst
While Burries' offensive game is a strong selling point, he is also a willing defender on the perimeter and has the motor Grizzlies fans love to see. One of the biggest things the Grizzlies need to do as they rebuild is increase the physicality and toughness of the roster. Brayden Burries fits that criteria to absolute perfection.
The Grizzlies have plenty of options to consider depending on how the draft lottery plays out. There are plenty of good guards in the 2026 NBA Draft, but Grizzlies fans should continue to keep Brayden Burries in mind.
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