NBA Draft: Grizzlies continue latest rebuild with Duke's Cameron Boozer at No. 3

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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.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced 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. Then Memphis sent Okorie's draft rights to Detroit for Lopez as the 21st pick.

Trading back twice also landed Memphis two second-round picks from Oklahoma City and three more from Detroit, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deals can't 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.”

Carlos Boozer had some advice for him after hearing his name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

“Take this moment, enjoy this moment,” Carlos Boozer said. “Obviously be where your feet are. Go enjoy it man, go enjoy it.”

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.

Memphis kicked this rebuild into gear last summer trading away Desmond Bane and followed up by trading Jaren Jackson Jr. in February.

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.

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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AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds and Associated Press freelance reporter Clay Bailey contributed to this report.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba