Grizzlies' complicated path to multiple first-round picks in 2026 NBA Draft

Regular-season basketball is starting to feel anything but important for the Memphis Grizzlies . Placement in the reverse standings and the NBA draft itself are essentially all that matter, as elimination from playoff contention and a wave of injuries have taken much of the excitement out of the final weeks. However, there is still one piece of the puzzle that makes these last days of the season meaningful for the Grizzlies.

They will be closely monitoring where the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic finish in the standings. Memphis is set to have a second first-round pick in this year’s draft, and it will come from one of those two teams. How that process plays out is a bit complicated, stemming from multiple pick swaps involving five teams.

The Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards are also part of the equation, but to simplify things, Memphis’ focus can remain on the Suns and Magic. The NBA draft lottery is set for May 10 in Chicago; the two-day draft will take place June 25-26 at Barclays Center in New York City. Here’s a breakdown of how the Grizzlies will acquire their second first-round pick.

How the deal came together The Grizzlies have been strong in stockpiling draft capital to position the organization for a rebuild. A June 2025 deal with the Magic is a prime example of how Memphis set itself up to potentially hold multiple first-round picks this season. The Wizards were part of a 2023 trade that sent star guard Bradley Beal to the Suns.