Richie Saunders Remained Unsigned by Grizzlies
The 32nd overall pick has not signed with the Memphis Grizzlies as the NBA preseason nears.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Basketball
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Richie Saunders, selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, remains unsigned as the preseason approaches. Saunders sustained an ACL injury in mid-February 2026, complicating negotiations for his rookie contract.
Why it matters
The Grizzlies have offered a two-way contract, which would split time between the NBA and G League, but Saunders is seeking more guaranteed money than the current proposal allows. The standoff is largely driven by his ongoing injury recovery and his desire for a larger financial commitment.
The Grizzlies offered a two-way deal with $92,000 in guaranteed money, significantly less than the $6 million and $3.82 million deals signed by other recent prospects like Kyle Filipowski and Noah Penda.
The players
Richie Saunders
He is the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and a former college player at BYU.
Memphis Grizzlies
This is a professional NBA team based in Memphis that holds the draft rights to Richie Saunders.
The details
Two-way contracts are reserved for players with three or fewer years of service time and offer limited guarantees compared to standard roster spots. Saunders faces an ACL recovery timeline that could keep him sidelined until at least November 2026 or as late as February 2027.
Timeline
Mid-February 2026: Richie Saunders sustained an ACL injury.
End of September 2026: Richie Saunders remains unsigned.
October 3, 2026: The NBA preseason begins.
January 10, 2027: Guaranteed money for two-way contracts increases.
Season Trajectory
This stalemate highlights the competitive balance shift as teams balance injury risks against limited rookie salary pool space. Saunders' situation echoes the precedent set by Alijah Martin, who holds the record for the highest-drafted player to sign a two-way contract.
Saunders' status leaves the Grizzlies without a key draft asset as they prepare for the upcoming preseason. His recovery timeline means he will likely remain unavailable for rotation play well into the start of the regular season.
The takeaway
The gap between standard rookie minimums and two-way contract guarantees remains a significant hurdle for injured draft picks. Players in similar positions often have to choose between immediate professional security and the risk of waiting for a better deal.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster moves, see Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BYU Daily Universe.
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