The Memphis Grizzlies are widely expected to keep the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, according to early league expectations following the lottery results.
Grizzlies president Zach Kleiman has built a reputation for aggressively moving up in drafts rather than trading down. Most recently, Memphis traded up to select Cedric Coward with the No. 11 pick last June.
League insiders believe Memphis will still have access to at least two of the draft’s top prospects at No. 3.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson are all viewed as possible options depending on how the first two selections unfold.
Those three players, along with AJ Dybantsa, have emerged as the consensus top four prospects in the class.
“I wasn’t really worried about picks 14 to 3,” Dybantsa told reporters after the lottery, signaling confidence that he will be selected within the first two picks.
Utah Jazz president Austin Ainge is familiar with major draft-day trades involving top selections.
During his time with the Boston Celtics, Ainge helped execute the 2017 deal that sent the No. 1 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia selected Markelle Fultz first overall, while Boston moved down and drafted Jayson Tatum at No. 3.
Wizards, Jazz Open To Trading Down From Top Two Picks After NBA Draft Lottery https://t.co/OXCMQTzUui
— RealGM (@RealGM) May 11, 2026
