Grizzlies predicted to receive No. 3 overall pick in 2026 NBA Draft, land 22.6 PPG freshman phenom to replace Jaren Jackson Jr. originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Memphis Grizzlies signalled they were starting a rebuild when they traded away their DPOY in Jaren Jackson Jr., and look to move Ja Morant this offseason. With that in mind, they need to find a replacement for Jackson, as they already did for Morant.
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According to Fansided’s Christopher Kline’s latest 2026 Mock Draft, that replacement will be Duke University’s National Player of the Year candidate, Cam Boozer. Boozer would form an amazing frontcourt with Zach Edey, and make for a scary inside presence for Memphis.
“Memphis lucks out and takes FanSided’s No. 1 prospect at No. 3. The Grizzlies front office puts major stock in analytics and just cleared out the power forward spot with the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. Boozer and Zach Edey immediately form one of the most physically imposing frontcourts in the NBA. Both will absolutely pummel mismatches on the block. Edey has begun to space out to the 3-point line, however, and Boozer is incredibly dynamic and efficient across the board. So there should be no concerns about their ability to coexist offensively…Boozer is the youngest player in the draft and he just put together the most thoroughly dominant college season since Zion Williamson. He has done nothing but win throughout high school and college. That should happen sooner than later in the pros,” Kline wrote.
So far in his freshman season at Duke, Boozer is averaging 22.6 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and 1.6 steals in 31.7 minutes per game. While he isn’t the defensive menace Jackson was, he would be a great replacement offensively, and can work on his defensive game over the offseason.
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This would give the Grizzlies an exciting young core to build around in Boozer, Edey and Cedric Coward. Along with a veteran in Ty Jerome at the point, Memphis could have a quick turnaround contender on their hands.
Hopefully, the Grizzlies get this pick, and make the most of it to start a new era of basketball in Memphis.
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