Grizzlies get back to work after major first-round gains in prospects and future assets.
NEW YORK – By landing two of the world’s most productive prospects, the Grizzlies delivered historic results with a forward-leaning approach in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Opportunistic flexibility remains the mission entering Day 2.
“We’ll take stock, we’ll listen to offers,” Grizzlies president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman vowed ahead of Wednesday’s second round. “Part of the beauty of this two-day draft are the opportunities there. That could be trading up, that could be trading down. I think there are also good players at the top of this second round. I’m excited to see what we do.”
What they’ve already done at this draft is clear in setting a solid foundation.
After selecting Duke standout power forward Cam Boozer third overall Tuesday and later acquiring prolific international small forward Karim Lopez in the first round, Memphis is again one of the first teams on the clock Wednesday night.
The Grizzlies own the No. 32 pick, which is the second selection on the board when the NBA Draft resumes at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
That spot near the top of the second round positions Memphis to add another key prospect to Boozer and Lopez from a class widely regarded as one of the deepest drafts in the past 30 years.
In Boozer, the Grizzlies get a foundational anchor who was only the fifth freshman in NCAA history to garner consensus National Player of the Year honors following his lone college season. The distinction places the 18-year-old Boozer in the company of former one-and-done sensations Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson and Cooper Flagg.
The biggest indication of value in snagging Boozer with the third pick is the near consensus among top analysts that he would have likely gone No. 1 overall in just about any other draft. Instead, a talent-rich crop at the top delivered Boozer after Washington selected BYU’s AJ Dybansta first and Utah chose Kansas’ Darryn Peterson with the second pick.
Averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 38 games last season, Boozer guided Duke to the Elite Eight – farther in the NCAA Tournament than Dybansta’s or Peterson’s teams.
A son of two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, Cam embraced his draft night moment alongside his parents and two brothers before quickly shifting his mindset to getting to work in Memphis.
“Honestly, at first, it still really didn’t seem real,” Boozer told Grind City Media of the initial wave of emotions his family experienced. “When you dream of something your whole life and you finally get there, it just takes a moment for it to really sink in. You’re getting a great guy who wants to put the team first and win, wants to be a great player. I can’t wait to get down there.”
Boozer didn’t have to wait to get acquainted with his new teammates or the culture and expectations taking shape. Grizzlies’ second-year swingman Cedric Coward worked as a special league correspondent during Tuesday’s opening round of the draft.
Coward, an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection last season, spent much of the night sharing insights with Boozer between their respective media and sponsor obligations. Coincidentally, the two were scheduled to be teammates last season after Coward initially planned to transfer from Washington State to Duke.
But Coward instead pivoted to enter the NBA Draft and was selected by Memphis with the No. 11 pick last summer. In one of their private moments Tuesday, Boozer joked he can finally forgive Coward for abandoning him last year – even if some Duke fans haven’t.
“I told him, ‘This was meant to be,’” Boozer said of linking up with Coward. “He decided to leave me at Duke, but that’s okay. I’m following him to Memphis. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Obviously, he had a great rookie season and we’re looking to build on that for sure.”
Coward didn’t take his ambassador role lightly. According to league officials, Coward shared one of the more astute and captivating messages to this year’s incoming rookie class about the challenges of adjusting to life on and off the court amid the transition to the NBA.
He also had a unique message for Boozer and Lopez about what awaits with the Grizzlies.
“It starts with first just being a good person,” Coward shared. “I trust in everything we’ve got as a team, in that we’re going to make you (better) players. They’re already good players for a reason; that’s why they got here. But at the same time, the culture we’re going to spread, we’re going to have (Memphis) rocking and we’re going to get back to the winning ways.”
Having added two teenagers in Boozer and the 19-year-old Lopez, the Grizzlies are firmly in the midst of what Kleiman frequently references as “a younger build” to reset the team’s timeline.
That process began last summer as the Grizzlies have since traded two of their three most established players, first sending guard Desmond Bane to Orlando and then dealing forward Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah. Those two transactions netted Memphis seven first-round draft picks, which included one used to ultimately acquire Lopez on Tuesday.
The Lopez deal involved the Grizzlies twice trading down the draft board – first from No. 16 to No. 17 and then to No. 21 – where Lopez was taken by the Pistons and sent to Memphis. That process allowed the Grizzlies to pick up five future second-round picks to bolster their assets.
“When you’re at the beginning of a build, we challenged ourselves to be patient and follow the value,” Kleiman said of maximizing Day 1 returns. “Bringing in Cam and Karim certainly fit the mode we felt was missing on the roster as we begin to build out this group. This was a best player available, opportunistic type of draft.”
Already, there’s connection and continuity between the Grizzlies’ newcomers.
They both bring versatility and relentless work ethic. They both have a professional pedigree, with Lopez starting his career oversees in pro leagues at age 14.
They’re also both driven by legacy. Lopez, who spent the past two seasons as one of the top-scoring forwards in Australia’s NBL, became the first Mexican native selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. That left him shedding teams as he exited the stage.
Lopez then followed Boozer with essentially the exact same answer to the type of player Grizzlies fans will see when they get to Memphis.
“They’re getting a player that’s going to do whatever it takes to win,” Lopez insisted. “Plug me into different roles, positions and schemes and I’m going to be able to succeed because I’m a high-IQ player. Those types of players can fit in wherever.”
Lopez smiled when told Boozer shared that same sentiment, practically word for word.
“I didn’t know that exactly, but not surprised,” Lopez smirked. “Because Cam’s like that, too. He’s smart and a winning player. So, I feel like we’ll be ready.”
Feels also like the Grizzlies got a pair of high-quality young men and promising prospects already on the same productive page.