Cam Boozer has been linked to the Grizzlies the most out of the top 3 prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft. However, Tony Jones of The Athletic just reported that the Utah Jazz are "genuinely torn" between selecting AJ Dybantsa, Cam Boozer, and Darryn Peterson. If that's the case, the Boozer to Memphis dream could potentially be less likely than we originally expected.
Right now, Cam Boozer to Memphis still seems like the most likely outcome on draft night, but it is absolutely worth monitoring the possibility of the Grizzlies landing Darryn Peterson or potentially an even more surprising outcome of AJ Dybantsa falling to #3.
The main focus is who the Grizzlies' selection will be, but Darryn Peterson's status could be a major driving force in who the Grizzlies' selection is. Peterson recently cancelled a workout with the Jazz, believing he will go #1 overall to the Wizards.
AJ Dybantsa has been the favorite to go #1 overall since the NBA Draft lottery results, but a strong argument can be made that Darryn Peterson is the most talented player in the entire class.
Boozer to Utah can't exactly be ruled out yet
Even though most of the widespread belief has been that the Jazz would take whoever remains between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, it appears that Boozer remains in the mix too. Jones had the following to say about Utah's interest in Boozer:
"That Boozer is firmly in the mix at No. 2 is a testament to how much the Jazz like him, being that he isn’t a clean positional fit. The Jazz already have Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen at his position, but Boozer is so talented that it may not matter for the Jazz. They may take him and worry about fit after." - Tony Jones, The Athletic
Even though the Jazz are already loaded in the frontcourt and trending upwards as a franchise, it still makes perfect sense for them to target the best player available. With Walker Kessler being a restricted free agent this summer, his future could also become worth monitoring even though it is still most likely that he remains in Utah.
Obviously, that would be an enormous blow for all the Grizzlies fans that want Boozer to end up in Memphis. It would be a bit disappointing to not get to see a potential Cam Boozer and Zach Edey frontcourt; however, the Grizzlies are still in a prime position to be big draft winners.
One of the biggest reasons the draft lottery result was so significant was how much it boosted the Grizzlies' chances at finding a real franchise cornerstone, compared to picking in the 6-10 range. If the Grizzlies miss out on Boozer, the more likely outcome would be for Peterson to end up in Memphis. But one thing is clear: AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson would still transform the franchise.
Being a week out from the 2026 NBA Draft, the Boozer to Memphis dream is starting to look slightly less likely. However, Grizzlies fans still have so much to be excited about at the #3 pick.
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