The Memphis Grizzlies wrapped a week-long mini-camp on Friday and headed to Salt Lake City for the first leg of their summer-league schedule. Third-overall pick Cam Boozer and No. 21 selection Karim Lopez will make their debuts against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, followed by games versus the Utah Jazz on Monday and the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday before the squad moves on to Las Vegas.

Boozer arrives as the consensus National College Player of the Year from Duke, while Lopez makes history as the first Mexican-born player ever taken in the first round. The two are 18 and 19 years old, respectively, and are expected to anchor a roster that has just turned a corner by trading veterans Ja Morant and Santi Aldama. Their youth dovetails with Memphis’ emphasis on spacing and a modern, versatile big-man role.

Joining Boozer and Lopez are fellow first-round guards Cedric Coward and Javon Small, along with third-year center Zach Edey. The summer-league itinerary guarantees at least eight games across two cities over nearly three weeks in July, giving the coaching staff ample opportunity to evaluate how the rookie core meshes with the older pieces. Lopez, who spent the past two seasons in Australia’s NBL, brings a perimeter-oriented game that can stretch defenses and create driving lanes for the backcourt.

The trade of Morant and Aldama signals a front office that is accelerating a rebuild centered on youth and development. Memphis has historically leveraged the dual-city format to assess talent, and this year’s eight-game window will serve as a litmus test for how quickly the new core can gel. The roster’s composition reflects a broader league trend of giving early-career minutes to fast-track growth after high-profile veteran departures.

Looking ahead, each opponent in Utah presents a distinct stylistic challenge that will shape the young team’s chemistry. After the Utah slate, the Grizzlies will land in Las Vegas for a full-league schedule where all 30 NBA teams will be watching. Strong performances will reinforce the front office’s confidence in Boozer and Lopez as foundational pieces, while any glaring gaps could inform future roster moves before the regular season begins.