Grizzlies Give Chances to Former First-Round Picks

Memphis looks to develop young talent as they rebuild their roster.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 3:11am

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The Memphis Grizzlies have brought in several former first-round draft picks as they enter a rebuilding phase. Players like Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, and Oliver-Maxence Prosper are getting opportunities to prove themselves with increased playing time, even as the team continues to struggle. The Grizzlies are hoping these young talents can show their potential and potentially be part of the team's future.

Why it matters

As the Grizzlies trade away established stars like Jaren Jackson Jr. to stockpile future draft picks, they are looking to develop young players who were once highly touted prospects. Giving these former first-rounders a chance to showcase their skills could uncover hidden gems that can be part of the next generation of Grizzlies talent.

The details

The Grizzlies recently acquired Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, and Oliver-Maxence Prosper in a trade with the Utah Jazz. All three were former first-round picks, with Clayton Jr. being selected 18th overall in 2025 and Hendricks going 9th overall in 2022. Prosper was a 2023 first-round pick (24th overall) by the Dallas Mavericks before joining the Grizzlies. The young trio is getting opportunities to start and play significant minutes as the Grizzlies enter a rebuilding phase, with the hope that one or more of them can prove they belong in the NBA.

  • On February 22, 2026, the Grizzlies played a game against the Miami Heat where Clayton Jr., Hendricks, and Prosper all started and played major minutes.
  • Earlier this season, the Grizzlies traded away star player Jaren Jackson Jr. to kickstart their rebuilding efforts.

The players

Walter Clayton Jr.

A 2025 first-round draft pick (18th overall) out of the University of Florida, Clayton Jr. is trying to carve out a role in the Grizzlies' crowded backcourt.

Taylor Hendricks

The 9th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Hendricks is a 3-and-D forward prospect from the University of Central Florida who is looking to bounce back from injury issues early in his pro career.

Oliver-Maxence Prosper

Prosper was a 2023 first-round pick (24th overall) by the Dallas Mavericks before joining the Grizzlies. The young forward is hoping to improve his shooting and solidify a spot in the Memphis rotation.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Grizzlies recently traded away their star player Jaren Jackson Jr. to kickstart their rebuilding efforts, acquiring future draft picks in the process.

Ja Morant

With the Grizzlies in a rebuilding mode, there is speculation they may look to trade away their star point guard Ja Morant this summer to accelerate the process.

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What’s next

The Grizzlies will continue to evaluate the performance of their young former first-round picks like Clayton Jr., Hendricks, and Prosper over the remainder of the season, as they look to identify which players can be part of the team's long-term plans.

The takeaway

The Grizzlies' decision to give extended playing time to former high draft picks like Clayton Jr., Hendricks, and Prosper shows their commitment to developing young talent as they rebuild their roster. While the results may be mixed in the short term, unearthing even one or two contributors from this group could pay dividends for the Grizzlies' future.