With the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies opted to select Purdue standout Zach Edey in a clear effort to address their most glaring rotational weakness down at starting center.
Despite his collegiate excellence and career accolades that include two AP Player of the Year Awards and phenomenal 2023-24 averages of 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks on 62.3 percent shooting, the reactions to this draft-day decision have been incredibly polarizing, with some going as far as to label it as “one of the worst picks I’ve seen in Draft history.”
However, with every naysayer’s commentary, there’s a counterargument that injects confidence into the hearts of the Grind City faithful that Edey’s addition could be exactly what the Grizzlies need to embark on a resurgence season following last year’s injury-plagued run that saw them win a mere 27 games and miss out on the playoffs for the first time in four years.
A recent example of this comes from ESPN’s NBA Draft Analyst Jonathan Givony, as he discussed during an episode of The Lowe Post Podcast a take on the incoming rookie big that will get Grizzlies fans excited for what’s to come in 2024-25 and should send shivers down the spines of rival ball clubs.
Draft analyst issues hot take on arrival of Zach Edey to Grizzlies
“He can post. If you switch and he’s got a [6-foot-2] guy on him he’s going to destroy that guy, he’s going to bury him under the rim. But, to me, his best attribute is the way that he screens. Ja Morant is going to be open every time he gets downhill. Zach Edey’s going to roll to the rim. You better tag Zach Edey when he’s rolling to the rim. There’s going to be wide-open threes on both corners. Ja Morant is going to love this. Zach Edey has a 7-11 wingspan, he catches everything, [and] he’s going to dunk everything. This is going to be awesome for Memphis… I can’t wait to see Zach Edey in Memphis. If they give him the runway, if they give him 25 minutes per game, Zach Edey can make a run at making an All-Rookie team, maybe he’s a sleeper for Rookie of the Year.”
– Jonathan Givony
Givony would continue on to praise the 22-year-old’s efforts on the hardwood, saying “this guy only knows how to go 150 percent” and that his “motor is unbelievable.”
Zach Edey D to Zach Edey O pic.twitter.com/EK4yz9JCb1
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) April 6, 2024
Measuring in at 7-foot-4, 300 pounds, Edey is not only by far the biggest player coming out of this year’s draft but also already enters the NBA as one of the most massive talents in league history.
With his behemoth physique, the big man became one of the most dominant players in the NCAA throughout his four-year tenure with the Boilermakers and, in Givony’s eyes, can be so at the next level with the Grizzlies.
As has been witnessed throughout the years while rolling out lineups with physically menacing players manning the pivot (namely Jonas Valanciunas and Steven Adams), this Memphis core led by Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane has only proven to thrive.
With his ability to set screens, draw double-teams, catch lobs, and pull down second-chance opportunities, Zach Lowe and Jonathan Givony both seem to believe Edey’s fit with the Grizzlies is near-ideal.
With him now in tow along with their presumed motivation to embark on a redemption tour and thrust themselves back into the legitimate contender conversation with their stars and key players all a full go, teams across the association should fear what this new-look squad can achieve on the hardwood next season.
