I've thought this throughout the whole season, but I firmly believe the Grizzlies would've been fighting for a playoff spot with a healthy Zach Edey. It only took 11 games of Zach Edey's sophomore season to prove that he is a crucial building block in Memphis. Unfortunately, it is painfully obvious that the Grizzlies were not built to overcome his absence.
Zach Edey was averaging 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.5 stocks in just 25.8 minutes per game. Most impressively, when removing low leverage, the team had a 17.7 net rating with Edey on the floor compared to a -6.7 net rating without him. Edey was starting to show serious levels of dominance as a defensive anchor. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies have struggled immensely on defense without him.
Most of the focus this offseason for the Grizzlies will be on the 2026 NBA Draft and Ja Morant's future. Regardless, the team has plenty of promising young talent to work with. However, despite players such as GG Jackson II, Cedric Coward, and Taylor Hendricks being capable of making another leap, the Grizzlies must address this one major offseason task.
It's time for the Grizzlies to boost the frontcourt significantly
The best way for the Grizzlies to improve in the non-Zach Edey minutes is by simply adding more reliable frontcourt options. Zach Edey had surgery last offseason to address recurring ankle sprains in his left ankle. Unfortunately, he had another recent surgery to help address the stability in his ankle past this season.
Ideally, Edey will make a full recovery and go back to showing the defensive dominance we got a glimpse of this season. But that does not mean the Grizzlies should neglect the depth behind him going forward. Before being included in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade package, Jock Landale was giving the Grizzlies a significant boost offensively but struggled badly as a rim protector.
Whether it is via draft or adding proven NBA options, the Grizzlies must find more centers that are capable rim protectors and can rebound.
There should be plenty of options for the Grizzlies this summer
With two first-round picks in a stacked 2026 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies could easily boost the frontcourt with either pick. A dream scenario would be for the Grizzlies to land top-4 and potentially have a shot at players such as Cam Boozer or Caleb Wilson. There are still plenty of other frontcourt options for the Grizzlies to consider, though.
I had previously mentioned Michigan's Aday Mara as a potential target for the Grizzlies. Other great draft options include players such as his teammate Morez Johnson Jr. or even Flory Bidunga or Henri Veesaar. It would be surprising if the Grizzlies didn't add to the frontcourt with one of their three picks in this upcoming draft.
With the futures of guys such as Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke being in doubt, there will likely be free agent or trade opportunities to add another quality veteran center. Edey should come back dominant, but adding a draft pick and veteran to the frontcourt behind him will put the team in a much greater position with him off the floor.
This is a crucial offseason for the Grizzlies as they begin to rebuild. There are many fixes to be made, but the Grizzlies must boost their frontcourt if they want to be a winner.