The Memphis Grizzlies are projected to struggle this season, with a forecast of under 29.5 wins following the franchise-altering trade of Ja Morant. The team's immediate future rests on the shoulders of rookie Cameron Boozer, the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. This outlook follows a difficult end to the 2025-26 campaign, where they lost four of their final five games, including a 132-101 defeat to the Houston Rockets on April 13.
Analysts predict a challenging year for Memphis. The team finished last season with a 25-57 record and enters this one with a significantly reshaped roster. The departure of star guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers marks a clear pivot toward a long-term rebuild. The projected starting lineup features a mix of veterans and young talent: Ty Jerome, Cedric Coward, Jerami Grant, rookie Zach Edey, and the centerpiece, Cameron Boozer.
Before the season-ending loss to Houston, the Grizzlies dropped games to the Cleveland Cavaliers (142-126), Milwaukee Bucks (131-115), and Phoenix Suns (131-105).
Cameron Boozer isn't just another rookie. He arrives as the new face of the franchise after a historic college career at Duke. He was the first underclassman since Larry Bird in 1977 to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists in a season, earning National Player of the Year honors. His final stat line was impressive: 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game on 55.6% shooting.
He translated that success quickly to the professional stage. Boozer made the NBA Summer League First Team, averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals while leading Memphis to the championship game. His combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ has drawn comparisons to the versatile roster construction of the 2026 champion New York Knicks. "Versatility is the name of the game," Boozer said. "I can screen. I can handle it. You can put me in a lot of different scenarios."
The immediate path involves patience. Being a lottery team again this season could benefit the front office by providing another high draft pick to build around Boozer. His debut is highly anticipated, with preseason action starting October 5 against the Atlanta Hawks and the regular season opener slated for October 21 versus the Utah Jazz.
Despite the likely losses, Boozer's presence offers a compelling reason to watch. He already cracked ESPN's top 100 NBA players list at No. 85, a rare feat for a rookie. Playing alongside last season's All-Rookie First Team selection Cedric Coward gives Memphis a promising young core. The goal this year is development, not playoff contention. Every game is a chance for Boozer, Coward, and Edey to grow. The front office is betting that short-term pain will lead to long-term gain, constructing a team capable of making plays at every position, just as their new star envisions.
