MEMPHIS – The most difficult part is over.
The gusty winds around FedExForum in recent weeks was the result of a collective exhale as the organization emerged from arguably the most tumultuous season in franchise history.
Nearly three weeks have passed since the Grizzlies extinguished a 2025-26 campaign filled with debilitating injuries, devastating losses and demoralizing drama on and off the court as well as in the national discourse surrounding the team.
But as the calendar flips from April to May, the time has come to pivot toward progress.
And what lies ahead for the Grizzlies is an encouraging opportunity to recover quickly, reset strategically and reestablish a firm foundation on which they can build for the immediate future.
Grizzlies’ president of basketball operations and general manager Zach Z. Kleiman spoke from that mindset earlier this month when asked why a befuddled but loyal fanbase should believe this organization can build a winner again rather quickly.
“Zoom all the way out, and you see the group of young players we already have, coupled with having as many first-round (draft) assets as nearly anyone in the league,” Kleiman explained. “And we’re diving into an offseason where we have two first-round picks and a pick early in the second round as well. It’s all going to speak for itself soon.”
Soon comes as early as May 10.
That’s when the Grizzlies head into the NBA Draft Lottery with the sixth-best odds for the No. 1 pick in a draft widely regarded as one of the most intriguing at the top in a decade. Memphis is slotted behind Washington, Indiana, Brooklyn, Utah and Sacramento for the random-but-weighted drawing.
By the numbers, the Grizzlies have a nine-percent chance to draw the lottery combinations that deliver the first overall pick. Based on their 25-57 record this past season, they also have a 37.2-percent shot to move up and land one of the coveted top four spots in the lottery. Memphis is one of six NBA teams to never win the No. 1 pick since the modern lottery’s inception in 1984.
This draft’s most prized prospects feature a group of dynamic freshmen in BYU forward AJ Dybansta, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke power forward Cam Boozer, North Carolina power forward Caleb Wilson, Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler.
Regardless of the lottery’s outcome in two weeks, the Grizzlies will emerge with three picks among the top 32 selections. In addition to being positioned at No. 6 heading in, Memphis also owns the No. 16 pick from Phoenix and the No. 32 pick in the second round from Indiana stemming from recent trades.
Those assets ideally position Memphis to add to a current core of recent draft picks and NBA All-Rookie Team performers in center Zach Edey, forward Jaylen Wells and guard Cedric Coward.
Kleiman mentioned Edey, Wells and Coward when he referenced the “younger build” the Grizzlies were shifting to at February’s trade deadline after sending two-time NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah for a package of future first-round picks. Including this June’s NBA Draft, the Grizzlies will have a stockpile of 13 first-round picks over the next seven years.
There will be plenty of pontification and speculation as pre-draft workouts intensify across the league and during the NBA Combine that starts May 11 after the lottery sets the draft order.
For instance, ESPN.com’s latest mock draft released Tuesday has the Grizzlies pegged to pick Wagler at No. 6 if they remain in that position. The 6-foot-6 Wagler, a versatile and crafty lead guard, guided Illinois to the NCAA Final Four.
Historically, there’s also been solid value just after the lottery selections midway through the first round. Just in the past five years, the No. 16 pick has delivered OKC’s Jared McCain, Utah’s Keyonte George and Houston’s Alperen Sengun.
The Grizzlies have a history of picking near the top of the second round. In fact, this will be the fourth time since 2001 they they’re slotted with the No. 32 pick. A strong case can be made that Kleiman and his front office have done their best work acquiring talent in the 30s recently.
That track record includes drafting Desmond Bane at No. 30 in 2020 and Santi Aldama in that same spot a year later in 2021. Two years ago, the 39th pick delivered Wells, who has been one of the Grizzlies’ most durable and productive players each of the past two seasons.
“When you look at their ledger of assets and what they’re accumulating, it’s clear to see the direction Memphis is going with how their building for the immediate future,” former NBA executive and ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks said during a recent broadcast. “That gives them as much first-round capital these next few years as any team. It gives you tons of options.”
What’s also clear is the atmospheric shift around the Grizzlies. The madness of a frustrating season is behind them. There promises to be some level of payoff for that pain. In essence, hope blooms as the May lottery looms.