Richie Saunders Is Already Sidelined and the Grizzlies Face an Immediate Problem

Alright, Seattle sports fam, buckle up! The 2026 NBA Draft just wrapped, but if you thought the drama was over, you were dead wrong. The real action for teams across the league is just heating up, with squads already scooping up undrafted free agents faster than you can say "summer league ready." We’re talking about getting that roster stacked for what’s coming next.

The Memphis Grizzlies were right there in the thick of it, bringing in some serious talent. They snagged Cam Boozer as their No. 3 overall pick, a huge move that’s got everyone talking. Then they doubled down, grabbing Karim López as the No. 21 overall pick. Both these guys, Boozer and López, are ready to hit the court and prove themselves, with plans already set for them to play in the upcoming summer league. You love to see that immediate hunger from your top picks, right?

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One Key Pick Already Benched, What Now?

But hold up, because there’s a massive wrench thrown into the Grizzlies' early plans, and honestly, it’s a real bummer. Their No. 32 pick, Richie Saunders, is already on the shelf. According to Coach Tuomas Iisalo himself, Saunders is out with a torn ACL injury and will not be playing in the summer league. Ouch. That’s a tough break, not just for the player, but for a team looking to integrate their new talent immediately.

We saw all three of these guys, López, Boozer, and Saunders, at their introductory press conference at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 25, 2026. General Manager Zach Kleiman and Head Coach Tuomas Iisalo were all smiles then, presenting the new jerseys and talking about the future. But now, with Saunders out of commission for summer league, that initial excitement has to be tinged with some serious concern about development. A torn ACL is no joke, and it means the Grizzlies won't get to see their No. 32 pick on the floor when the other rookies are making their first impressions.

The Road Ahead for Memphis

So, what's next for the Grizzlies? GM Zach Kleiman and Coach Tuomas Iisalo have their work cut out for them, especially with Saunders needing to focus on recovery instead of competitive play. The spotlight is now even brighter on Cam Boozer and Karim López to really show out in summer league. Every possession, every game, it all matters when you're trying to establish yourself. For Saunders, the immediate future is all about rehab, which is a huge setback in a player's crucial rookie year development cycle.

This situation puts some serious pressure on the Grizzlies’ other draft picks to perform, and on the front office to find additional talent for summer league. We’re all looking forward to seeing what Boozer and López can do when the summer league kicks off. It's their first real chance to show why they belong, especially with one of their fellow draftees watching from the sidelines. Let's see how they respond!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.