Cameron Boozer sees himself as a perfect addition to the Memphis Grizzlies’ latest rebuilding project.
The Grizzlies selected the Duke forward with the third pick in the NBA draft Tuesday night, adding another high pick for a third straight year. Boozer joins 7-foot-3 center Zach Edey, the ninth overall pick in 2024, and Cedric Coward, the 11th selection a year ago and member of the All-NBA rookie team.
The 6-8, 253-pound Boozer is the son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer. He was the fifth freshman voted AP men’s national player of the year. Now Cameron Boozer joins Edey, a two-time AP men’s national player of the year, in Memphis’ front court.
“I think we automatically become one of the best rebounding duos in the league,” Boozer said. “His size is unmatched. … I mean he’s just a big dude. It’s going to be exciting to see what different types of things we can do. Really mess up other teams and cause some mismatches for sure.”
Memphis also added forward Karim Lopez at No. 21 after twice trading back from No. 16 in a series of moves that returned five future second-round picks.
The Grizzlies sent the draft rights for Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz at No. 16 to Oklahoma City in exchange for the rights to Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie and two second-round picks. Then Memphis sent Okorie's draft rights to Detroit for Lopez as the 21st pick and three more second-round picks. Neither deal can be finalized until July 6.
The 6-8 Lopez is the first Mexican-born player taken in the first round of an NBA draft. He played two seasons in Australia’s National Basketball League’s “Next Stars” developmental program that produced lottery picks LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr in recent years. Lopez just turned 19 in April.
“It means a lot to me,” Lopez said. “It’s just a great opportunity for me and my country to have this platform and have this opportunity. So super blessed and definitely take it with a lot of pride.”
Boozer brings size, grit to Memphis' rebuild
The big prize Tuesday night was Boozer, someone general manager Zach Kleiman called “a very significant piece” for the Grizzlies.
Boozer averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds while helping Duke win 35 games and reach No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll. The Blue Devils claimed the top overall seed for March Madness and reached the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.
He showed the kind of toughness the Grizzlies can use after so many injuries over the past couple seasons. Boozer finished a loss to UConn with 27 points despite suffering multiple facial fractures in the first half.
That helped Boozer prove he can finish through contact shooting 55.6% from the floor and also shot 39.1% from 3-point range. Boozer also is a strong passer (4.1 assists), notably assisting on Isaiah Evans’ late 3-pointer to beat reigning national champion Florida.
“We certainly think he’s a great fit on court," Kleiman said. "Off court, we think he is going to represent this organization and this city very well for years and years to come.”
Memphis kicked this rebuild into gear last summer trading away Desmond Bane and followed up by trading Jaren Jackson Jr. in February.
Ja Morant's future is still unknown
The only reason two-time All-Star Ja Morant hasn’t joined that exodus was Memphis could not find a good enough deal for the point guard to close out the three core Grizzlies who were supposed to lead the franchise into the future.
Memphis still is expected to move on from Morant with the guard playing only 79 games combined over the last three seasons. Morant could be packaged as part of a move up in this draft by the Grizzlies with two years left on his current contract. Kleiman said the Grizzlies are focused on this draft right now.
"We’re not going to speculate on hypothetical transactions tonight,” Kleiman said after the end of the first round.
Memphis is counting on a youth movement
The Grizzlies moved up from sixth to third in the lottery after finishing 25-57 and missing the playoffs for the second time in three years. That record makes it difficult to get a read on coach Tuomas Iisalo and whether his time in European basketball will translate to NBA success.
Memphis also has shooting guard Jaylen Wells, who has started 143 of 148 games in his first two seasons. He joined Edey on the NBA’s All-Rookie team, and veteran Ty Jerome was added a year ago as another guard option.
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