Cameron Boozer to Memphis at No. 3. But the Grizzlies Might Also Be Poking Around a Trade.

The Memphis Grizzlies walk into Tuesday night’s NBA Draft holding the third overall pick, and all signs point to Duke big man Cameron Boozer being the guy. According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, Boozer is slated to go third after BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson hear their names called first. There was some late chatter about North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson making a push, but Memphis is reportedly thrilled to add Boozer to the mix.

It makes sense why. The Grizzlies already have young pieces like Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward that Boozer can orbit around during what amounts to a soft rebuild. And then there’s Zach Edey. Pairing Boozer with Edey gives Memphis a frontcourt that would absolutely smother teams on the glass. Boozer brings skill on both ends and Edey’s size lets him clean up. Suddenly the Grizzlies have length and athleticism in waves.

Siegel wrote that Memphis has no intention of moving off the third pick despite the usual smokescreen season. But they are looking at the other end of the first round. The team owns the No. 16 pick and has interest in moving up. One potential partner? The Golden State Warriors at No. 11. Golden State hasn’t ruled out trading down, and Memphis could make that conversation interesting.

The Price of Moving Up

To get something, you have to give something. Memphis is reportedly making virtually every player outside its young core available in trade talks. That list includes 25-year-old big man Santi Aldama, who’s been a productive piece but might be the kind of asset another team wants. Whether it’s Aldama or draft capital, the Grizzlies are poking around.

And then there’s the Ja Morant elephant. Rumors have swirled about Memphis possibly moving him, but Siegel found no evidence of any active trade talks involving the star guard. Same goes for the No. 3 pick. The Grizzlies seem settled on what they want there.

So the real drama might not be at No. 3 but at No. 16. Can Memphis package a player and pick to sneak into the lottery? Or do they stand pat and trust their board? Tuesday night will sort it all out.