MEMPHIS, Tennessee, May 10, 2026, 15:03 (CDT)
The Memphis Grizzlies vaulted to the No. 3 spot in Sunday’s 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, sliding into the top four just behind the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, and nudging past the Chicago Bulls. Washington landed the top pick. According to the NBA, the lottery took place at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.
Memphis, saddled with a 25-57 record and just a 9.0% shot at landing the top pick, suddenly finds itself holding the No. 3 selection—an outcome that reshapes the outlook for the Grizzlies. That third pick slots them squarely in the mix for one of this draft’s highly regarded prospects, potentially shifting the calculus for the front office as it considers future moves.
The NBA uses a lottery to decide the top 14 draft picks for teams that didn’t make the playoffs. According to the league, only the first four spots are determined by the drawing; the rest fall in line by reverse order of regular-season records.
Memphis sits on three key picks: No. 3, No. 16 via Phoenix by way of Orlando, and No. 32 coming from Indiana by way of Milwaukee. With that set, the Grizzlies can draft, package, or use their haul in trades. Still, it’s the No. 3 selection that could flip their offseason.
Michael C. Wright at ESPN noted that Memphis has pivoted to a youth movement, focusing on Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, and Zach Edey. Wright also cited general manager Zach Kleiman, who described talks with Ja Morant and his camp as “open, honest and respectful communication the entire time.” Morant’s status is still up in the air. ESPN
It’s crowded at the top. Washington, Utah, Memphis, and Chicago jumped into the first four spots. The Los Angeles Clippers snagged fifth, thanks to Indiana’s pick, while Brooklyn, which had a 14% shot at No. 1, dropped down to sixth.
Headlining the list: BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson. Dybantsa, who topped the national scoring charts at 25.5 points per game, put it plainly from the lottery broadcast: “One of these teams is going to be home.” AP News
In the run-up to the drawing, local media pitched it as an opportunity for Memphis to break its habit of draft lottery letdowns. Chris Herrington over at The Daily Memphian pointed out the Grizzlies’ track record—luck just hasn’t been on their side in the NBA Draft Lottery.
Landing the pick doesn’t end Memphis’ dilemma. The Grizzlies face a decision: slotting a rookie onto an already youthful squad, dangling the pick in trade talks, or holding off until market dynamics around Morant are clearer—something ESPN notes could bring stronger trade possibilities after the draft and free agency.
The draft is set for June 23 and June 24 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. But first, starting May 10, prospects head to Chicago for the NBA Draft Combine, running through the 17th—a stretch that hands Memphis its initial look this week at the board, which now opens at No. 3.
