Since we are just 8 days away from the 2026 NBA Draft, now is the perfect time to look back on the Grizzlies' selection of Zach Edey. Selected 9th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Zach Edey has shown significant promise but had his second season end after just 11 games. If the rebuilding Grizzlies want to unlock their potential, it will be essential for them to have a healthy Zach Edey long-term.
Zach Edey had a decorated college career at Purdue that saw him lead the Boilermakers to the 2024 national championship while also winning the Naismith College Player of the Year award twice. Despite Edey's strong production for one of the best teams in the country, there were still plenty of skeptics that questioned how his game would translate at the NBA level.
Simply put, many fans and analysts overthought what Edey could bring to an NBA team. Edey's strength along with his abilities to rebound and set screens have clearly translated. Edey has also started to become more efficient as a post scorer. But arguably the worst part of Edey's past season getting cut short was how much he evolved as a defender.
The Grizzlies can unlock their potential with Zach Edey healthy
The sample size wasn't huge, but the Grizzlies had the third best defensive rating in basketball in the stretch of games Edey played. They also went 7-4 in the games Edey played, which is about a 52-win pace in a full 82-game season.
While winning 52 games next season is obviously a lofty goal with an improving Western Conference and the Grizzlies in the early stages of a new rebuild, it is still easy to envision the Grizzlies' win total making a respectable increase if Edey can play at least 65 games.
Now, factor in a potential year 2 leap from Cedric Coward along with the Grizzlies likely adding Cam Boozer or Darryn Peterson in next week's draft, and a play-in push for next season becomes very possible. A hypothetical core of Cedric Coward, Cam Boozer, and Zach Edey could have a winning impact early on and significantly shorten the time it takes the Grizzlies to rebuild.
There should be plenty of excitement surrounding Cedric Coward and whoever the pick is at #3, but at least for now, Zach Edey holds the keys to how well the Grizzlies can perform next season and beyond. Edey's abilities as a rebounder and rim protector will be needed, especially if the Grizzlies want to eventually compete with teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
The Grizzlies still have plenty of room to improve offensively as a roster. However, Edey can still provide an immediate offensive boost due to his evolving post game and ball screens. Edey's presence alone makes the Grizzlies more difficult to beat, and we have likely yet to see the best of him.
Here's to hoping that Zach Edey can stay healthy and be a driving force towards the Grizzlies returning to the NBA Playoffs soon.
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