In a pivotal moment for the future of the NBA's Southwest Division, three key franchises – the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs – strategically utilized their first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft to bring in promising front-court talent. While these teams made significant additions, the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans opted out of the first round, highlighting varying team-building philosophies.
Southwest Division Teams Make Key Selections in NBA Draft
On Tuesday night, in a highly anticipated event that will shape the future landscape of the NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs, all prominent members of the Southwest Division, actively participated in the first round of the NBA draft, each selecting promising front-court athletes. The Memphis Grizzlies, focused on fortifying their roster, chose Duke University’s formidable forward, Cameron Boozer, as the third overall pick. Boozer, standing at 6-foot-9, is expected to create a dominant rebounding duo with Zach Edey, promising to “really mess up other teams and cause some mismatches.” Following their initial pick, the Grizzlies, through a series of strategic trades that moved them from 16th to 21st, also acquired Karim Lopez, a 19-year-old forward from Mexico who played for the New Zealand Breakers. These moves garnered Memphis five additional second-round picks, demonstrating a clear focus on long-term growth and depth. Analysts compare Boozer to established NBA talents such as Al Horford and Paolo Banchero, while Lopez draws comparisons to Kyle Kuzma and Deni Avdija.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks, having recently faced challenges with their star point guard situation, secured Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. as the ninth overall selection. Johnson, a 6-foot-9 forward/center with a strong defensive background, played a crucial role in Michigan’s NCAA title victory, averaging 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds. His defensive prowess and potential for offensive development lead to comparisons with a young Bam Adebayo. The Mavericks further bolstered their roster by acquiring Spanish guard Sergio De Larrea at pick 25 through a trade with the Knicks, a player whose journey is akin to Luka Doncic's early career in the EuroLeague. For the defending Western Conference champions, the San Antonio Spurs, addressing their need for an additional big man to complement Victor Wembanyama was paramount after their NBA Finals defeat. They drafted Jayden Quaintance, a 6-foot-10, 253-pound forward from Kentucky, as the 20th overall pick. Quaintance averaged 5 points and 5 rebounds and is likened to defensive stalwarts like Robert Williams III and Clint Capela, with offensive potential around the rim similar to Jalen Duren.
In contrast, the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans did not make any first-round selections. The Rockets, who could benefit from improved perimeter shooting and front-court depth, traded away their 2026 first-rounder in 2019 as part of a deal that brought Russell Westbrook to the team. They are scheduled to pick later in the second round at 39th and 53rd overall. The New Orleans Pelicans, aiming to enhance their outside shooting, especially to support Zion Williamson, traded their first-round pick last year to acquire a second 2025 first-rounder, which was used to select Derik Queen. Despite expressing interest in trading back into the first round, Pelicans basketball operations chief Joe Dumars was unable to find a suitable deal, leaving them to wait until the 58th overall pick in the second round.
This draft reflects a strategic divergence among Southwest Division teams. Some are actively building through immediate high-impact additions and future assets, while others are navigating past trades and focusing on later rounds. The selections made in this draft will undoubtedly influence the competitive balance of the division and the broader NBA in the coming seasons, as these young talents develop and integrate into their new teams. The choices highlight the diverse approaches teams take to strengthen their rosters and pursue championship aspirations.
