We are inching closer to what should be an incredible 2026 NBA Draft. Luckily for the Grizzlies, they will have two first-round picks at #3 and #16 while also picking early in round two at #32. This draft is a golden opportunity for the Grizzlies to add significant talent. The toughest decision they face in the draft comes down to how they will use their second first-round pick: select a guard or not at #16.
Barring a significant turn of events, the Grizzlies should start Day 1 of the draft with an enormous win by selecting Cam Boozer with the 3rd overall pick. Although there remains a strong chance that the Grizzlies trade up from #16, they can still land a good player if they stay put. However, they must decide whether or not they should take a guard, especially if Cam Boozer is the pick.
It's not an easy decision for a rebuilding Grizzlies team
The Grizzlies would have a promising roster foundation with Cam Boozer, Cedric Coward, and Zach Edey, but they still need to boost the talent level of the roster as a whole. Choosing to pick or not pick a guard at #16 should be a conversation worth having for multiple reasons. Ja Morant's future has to be resolved this summer with a trade looking like the most likely outcome.
It is also important to consider that the Grizzlies will have to address the current logjam of guards they have. Even after factoring in a potential Ja Morant trade, the Grizzlies still have Ty Jerome, Walter Clayton Jr., and Scotty Pippen Jr. under contract. Promising rookie guard Javon Small remains on a two-way contract, but it is not difficult to envision the Grizzlies giving him a standard deal one day.
A key part of the motivation for consolidating the guard position is the fact that the Grizzlies desperately need to boost their frontcourt depth and could still add more quality perimeter players. With a combination of the draft along with free agency and the trade market, it will be essential to improve the current balance of the roster.
Increasing the talent level matters just as much as roster balance
However, when approaching this new rebuild, it is impossible not to consider how impressive teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are. The Grizzlies will need plenty of things to go right, but it is evident that the overall talent level of the roster must improve. Whether the Grizzlies select a guard or not, assuming they stay at #16, it could be logical to simply target the best player available.
Guards such as Texas Tech's Christian Anderson Jr. and Labaron Philon Jr. should likely be in range at #16. When looking at wing and frontcourt targets, players such as Texas' Dailyn Swain, Washington's Hannes Steinbach, and Kentucky's Jayden Quaintance could all realistically be at play as well.
Regardless of whether or not Ja Morant ends up getting moved, the team faces a difficult decision with how to use the #16 pick.
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