When the 2023 - 2024 season ended for the Memphis Grizzlies, the team had one position that was needed heading into the offseason. After getting little to no production from the center position due to injuries that were followed by trades, the team spent their ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft to select Zach Edey from Purdue.
After a slow start that saw him commit more fouls than made field goal attempts in his first four games, Edey began to look like a serviceable starting center. He has since continued to produce in the primary area the team needed by leading the team in rebounds per game with 7.8. His play has kept him in the top five of the Rookie of the Year race throughout the season as well.
However, as the playoffs approach, Edey must prove he can remain on the floor when the game slows down and physicality takes control for a series.
Can Edey remain on the floor for long stretches?
The 7'4" rookie center has had a typical rookie year for a first-year center who has had to adjust to the physicality of the NBA over the longest stretch he's had to play in his career. He has responded well with a 9.2 points per game average on 60.6% shooting on two-pointers, along with 1.3 blocks on the defensive end.
His foul rate has also lessened from his struggles at the beginning of the season as he averages only 2.6 fouls per game. However, that may change in the playoffs when teams will likely target him in pick-and-roll sets to either create space for a shot or attempt to draw fouls.
Coach Taylor Jenkins has kept Edey's minutes low as he only averages 20.9 minutes per game, which ranks seventh on the team. Edey is the only true center on the roster so his impact will be important when the playoffs come around on both ends of the court, but the drop coverage defense may become a bigger hindrance in a playoff series.
Teams love to exploit weaknesses, and Zach Edey being switched onto a guard will be a nightmare scenario for the Grizzlies. General Manager Zach Kleiman's statement about teams having to adjust to the Grizzlies with Edey on the floor hasn't come to fruition this season, and likely won't when the playoffs begin.
Edey's biggest strength right now is offensive rebounding and defense at the rim, and that is what will allow him to stay on the court in the playoffs. Depending on the opponent, Edey will be able to play more or less but the Grizzlies expect the big man to be ready for the moment when the time comes for him to produce on the game's biggest stage.