The Memphis Grizzlies hit the headlines this week after pulling off a monumental trade with the Orlando Magic that will shake up their 2025-26 roster. Losing guard Desmond Bane, who started 68 games for the organization last season, is definitely a setback, but the trade offers Memphis the flexibility and mobility to pivot in a variety of different directions.
The trade saw the Grizzlies receive two established guards in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, along with four first-round picks and a pick swap for the 2029 season. While three of those picks will only be available in 2026, 2028 and 2030, Memphis was able to jump back into the first round of this year’s draft by acquiring the 16th overall pick.
PFSN Predicts Grizzlies Will Select Arizona’s Carter Bryant
The NBA Draft is only a week away, and mock drafts have been circulating, trying to predict the best landing spots for some of the top basketball prospects in the nation.
There is plenty of talent and potential in this draft class, and according to PFSN’s latest mock draft by Cam Mellor, the Grizzlies will be keeping a close eye on a young forward coming out of the University of Arizona.
Mellor believes 19-year-old Carter Bryant could be a perfect fit for a Memphis team that is looking to the future as it reconstructs the lineup.
Bryant is listed at 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds and could be used as a small forward or power forward. Although his stats don’t jump off the page, Mellor highlights his athleticism and high ceiling as factors that could tempt the Grizzlies.
“The Grizzlies swing for long-term upside with Carter Bryant, banking on tools over production at this stage in the draft with their pick from the Magic,” says Mellor.
Bryant averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks over 37 games with the Wildcats. He started five games, and his numbers could have been significantly better if coach Tommy Lloyd had provided him more than just 19.3 minutes per game.
Carter Bryant scoring tape.
37.1% from 3P (8.4 3PA/100) + 70.8% at the rim (1.42 PPP). pic.twitter.com/1xKkzftpXz
— Mohamed (@mcfNBA) June 6, 2025
Still, Bryant impressed when given the opportunity and is regarded as a consensus first-round pick.
Mellor believes Bryant could develop into a key piece for the Grizzlies if the franchise can be patient. He is a solid defender and an above-average 3-point shooter, making him a great fit for the modern game.
“He’s already shown flashes as a multi-positional defender, whether rotating from the weak side, switching on the perimeter or contesting shots with bounce and length. Offensively, he’s more of a connective piece than a creator, but there’s enough there, especially as a spot-up shooter, where he hit 37.1% from deep, that the Grizzlies can envision him growing into a reliable 3-and-D presence,” adds Mellor.
The Grizzlies are currently a guard-heavy lineup with Anthony and Caldwell-Pope joining a roster that includes Ja Morant, Luke Kennard, Scotty Pippen Jr., John Konchar, Cam Spencer, Vince Williams Jr. and Yuki Kawamura. They will likely be in the market for a top-tier forward and could use their first-round pick to add some depth to the position.
