Wizards Keep No. 1 Pick as Dybantsa, Peterson Lead 2026 NBA Draft Projections

Q: Will the Grizzlies draft Cameron Boozer, betting that two dominant bigs can still win in today's NBA?

Probably not. The strongest reporting and betting signals point to Memphis passing on Cameron Boozer at No. 3 because of fit concerns with Zach Edey, even though some mock drafts still connect Boozer to the Grizzlies. The main issue is roster construction. Memphis has already invested heavily in Edey, and the concern is that an Edey-Boozer frontcourt would be vulnerable defensively in a Western Conference built around perimeter creators and pick-and-roll pressure. Multiple draft analyses cited in the reporting argue that neither Boozer nor Edey is an ideal answer against those matchups, which makes the pairing risky in today’s NBA. That is why Caleb Wilson has emerged as an attractive alternative and even a long-shot betting value for the No. 3 pick. Wilson is viewed as a more modern fit: length, mobility, and offensive upside without doubling down on a two-big alignment that could be hard to defend deep in the playoffs. The case for Boozer is still real. He is widely regarded as one of the safest prospects in the class, with a high floor, strong production, rebounding, and enough shooting to make a two-big offense workable. Some projections still have Memphis taking him, betting that his skill and Edey’s interior presence could create a punishing frontcourt. But based on the available evidence, Memphis looks more likely to avoid making a philosophical bet on two dominant bigs and instead choose a more flexible frontcourt fit.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 18

No. 1 is projected to stay with Washington, with betting markets pricing a trade at -900 ahead of the June 23 NBA Draft in Milwaukee.
AJ Dybantsa is viewed as the likeliest top selection despite a +488 market for him at No. 2, while Darryn Peterson’s injury-marred season has narrowed but not erased his case for No. 1.
Utah at No. 2 is projected to favor Peterson over Cameron Boozer, with roster fit cited as a key reason and Peterson priced at -213 in that head-to-head market.
Memphis at No. 3 could bypass Boozer for Caleb Wilson at +614, reflecting concerns that pairing another big with Zach Edey would hurt the Grizzlies defensively.
Further down the board, Mikel Brown Jr. is favored at -317 over Kingston Flemings, with evaluators leaning on Brown’s longer track record and U19 FIBA gold-medal résumé.