The Memphis Grizzlies secured the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after the lottery results favored them. The Washington Wizards won the No. 1 pick, followed by the Utah Jazz at No. 2.
Key points
Memphis Grizzlies secured No. 3 overall pick
Grizzlies had fourth lottery combination
Washington Wizards won No. 1 pick
Utah Jazz will select second
NBA draft lottery held in Chicago
Mentioned in this story
Chicago
2026 NBA DraftNBA draft lotteryMemphis GrizzliesWashington Wizards
How Grizzlies landed No. 3 overall pick at NBA draft lottery, what's next
Memphis technically landed the fourth lottery combination, but because the previous two combinations went to the Utah Jazz, the Grizzlies ultimately secured the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards won the No. 1 pick, the Jazz will select second, and Memphis now sits in prime position.
Projected top prospects AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson and Cam Boozer sat alongside family members during the lottery process May 10 in Chicago, getting an early glimpse into what their NBA futures could soon hold.
The pingpong ball combination 13-4-10-6 delivered Memphis the third pick.
Now, Memphis has the opportunity to add a potential franchise-changing talent when the draft begins June 23 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
With Washington and Utah picking ahead of them, the Grizzlies may allow the board to naturally narrow their choices. Still, four standout names emerge as the most realistic possibilities.
Early conversations at the weeklong draft combine, which began May 10 in Chicago, suggest that Washington doesn't have a definitive early favorite for its pick. The same can be said of the Jazz, and certainly the Grizzlies.
Q&A
How did the Memphis Grizzlies get the No. 3 pick in the NBA draft lottery?
The Grizzlies landed the No. 3 pick by having the fourth lottery combination, which was boosted by the Utah Jazz winning the first two combinations.
Who are the projected top prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft?
The projected top prospects include AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Caleb Wilson, and Cam Boozer.
What teams had the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery?
The Washington Wizards secured the No. 1 pick, followed by the Utah Jazz at No. 2, and the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3.
Where did the NBA draft lottery take place?
The NBA draft lottery took place in Chicago.
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Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Walter Clayton Jr. gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Taylor Hendricks gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Memphis Grizzliesā Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Ty Jerome gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
8 / 20
Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā head coach Tuomas Iisalo gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Cedric Coward gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā GG Jackson II gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Walter Clayton Jr. gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Taylor Hendricks gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
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Hereās our best photos of the Memphis Grizzlies exit interviews
Memphis Grizzliesā Taj Gibson gives his exit interview on April 13, 2026 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
Darryn Peterson
Peterson is widely viewed as one of the most talented players in the class. The 6-foot-5 Kansas wing has showcased elite shot-making ability, size and strong two-way upside. Health concerns remain after severe cramping issues ā which he attributed to taking high doses of creatine ā affected portions of his freshman season. But if those problems are behind him, Peterson has the tools to become a franchise cornerstone.
Caleb Wilson
Wilson is often labeled the fourth option among the draftās top-tier prospects, but his freshman season at North Carolina made that evaluation less certain. The 6-10 athletic power forward flashed impressive rebounding, shot-blocking and midrange scoring ability before a wrist injury cut his season short. His versatility and upside could make him an intriguing option for Memphis.
Cam Boozer
Boozer enters the draft as one of its most polished prospects. The power forward's footwork, strength and rebounding helped fuel a dominant freshman campaign at Duke. His 6-9 presence alongside Zach Edey and Cedric Coward would immediately give Memphis the framework for one of the NBAās most physically imposing and productive rebounding frontcourts.
AJ Dybantsa
Among the top four prospects, Dybantsa is considered the most likely to be selected within the first two picks, which would keep him out of Memphisā reach. But if the 6-9 forward somehow slides to No. 3, his elite scoring ability, offensive creativity and star-level upside would make him a compelling choice. Dybantsa projects as one of the draftās most dynamic offensive rookies from Day 1.