3 ways Grizzlies center Zach Edey can win 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year

3. The Grizzlies make it back to the playoffs, and Edey's a reason why

The theme of this coming season is redemption.

Prior to their injury-riddled 2023-24 campaign, the Memphis Grizzlies were seen in a similar light to what the OKC Thunder currently are: A young and highly talented up-and-coming team who just finished their season as a top-two seed in the Western Conference and saw their first semifinal appearance in several years.

Unfortunately, due to their seventh-worst record in the association at 27-55, it seems many appear to be suffering from short-term memory when it relates to just how elite this franchise was proving itself to be before being derailed based on things largely out of their control.

Now, heading into 2024-25, the mission is likely to reestablish themselves as a top dog out in the highly competitive Western Conference by making their way through the regular season with both a winning and playoff-clinching record.

While getting their core back to full strength will be a major aid in them accomplishing such an objective, what better way for them to bounce back than having the player you got as a consolation prize for their gap year in Zach Edey serve in a key role?

Be it as a starter or a regular rotation player off the pine, should the 22-year-old show his impact on this hungry and highly-motivated Grizzlies team looking to go from rags back to riches, the narrative of his arrival would absolutely be overwhelmingly positive, as voters for these major awards always love a good narrative when placing their ballots.