Zach Edey’s rapid rise from a somewhat unheralded prospect to the Memphis Grizzlies’ starting center and a Rookie of the Year favorite is no accident. He had a historic collegiate career at Purdue, where he averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game in his senior year. Edey has consistently proven doubters wrong. Edey’s strong preseason performance, highlighted by 13.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in just over 20 minutes per game, has made him the early favorite for the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year award.
NBA Business: The Grizzlies Set to Make a Zach Edey Decision
For Memphis, this presents a unique opportunity. A team that struggled through the 2023-24 season with only 27 wins now has a chance to build a formidable frontcourt anchored by the 7-foot-4 Edey. His traditional big-man skills—screen setting, rim protection, and offensive rebounding—have translated well to the NBA. However, with Ja Morant returning and the team boasting scorers like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis faces a major decision: How can they integrate Edey into their offensive and defensive identity while keeping their other stars involved?
The Case for Edey as a Core Player
Memphis has a clear need for Edey’s skill set. His ability to dominate the paint, deter shots around the rim, and protect the basket makes him an essential defensive presence. Offensively, he offers them a reliable option in the post, something that was missing for much of last season. With Morant back and fully integrated, the Grizzlies will likely continue to push their pace. However, Edey’s presence will add a valuable half-court dimension, giving the team more ways to score.
The Grizzlies need to make a crucial decision about whether to fully embrace Edey as part of their core. Memphis’s current starters—Morant, Bane, Jackson, Marcus Smart, and Edey—all have the ability to score, which could create challenges in terms of shot distribution. Last season, both Bane and Jackson attempted career-high field goals, with Bane taking 18.5 shots per game and Jackson attempting 17.6. With Morant back in the fold, there will be even more competition for scoring opportunities. The Grizzlies must strike a balance to maximize Edey’s impact without diminishing their other stars’ effectiveness.
Two-Big Lineups: The Future of the Grizzlies
One way to ensure Edey’s continued development and integration into the Grizzlies’ system is by utilizing two big lineups. This will involve pairing him with Jackson in the starting unit. Edey’s size, touch, and post-up ability make him a perfect complement to Jackson, a versatile forward who excels on both ends of the floor. Together, they could form a dominant frontcourt that disrupts opponents defensively while creating a powerful inside-outside offensive dynamic.
In this setup, Jackson could focus more on stretching the floor and playing a more perimeter-based role. This allows Edey to control the paint. Defensively, Jackson’s mobility and shot-blocking ability would cover for Edey’s occasional limitations on the perimeter, while Edey anchors the defense with his size and shot-blocking. This pairing gives Memphis an elite defensive foundation.
Grizzlies Staggering Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr
Another approach could involve staggering the minutes of Edey and Jackson. By doing this, the Grizzlies ensure that one of their dominant big men is almost always on the floor. This will allow the team to consistently protect the rim and control the glass. In this configuration, Edey could be the focal point of the second unit’s offense. He could use his post presence to dominate opposing backups and keep the Grizzlies’ offense humming when their stars are resting.
This staggered approach would also allow the Grizzlies to keep their spacing intact when Edey is off the floor. This provides more flexibility for Morant and Bane to attack in transition and from the perimeter.
The Impact of Edey’s Rookie Contract
A key benefit of integrating Zach Edey into the Grizzlies’ core now is his rookie contract. His $5.75m cap hit accounts for just 4.09% of the team’s salary cap. Edey’s contract gives Memphis financial flexibility to compete without entering the second apron of the salary cap for the next few years. This is crucial in the current NBA landscape, shaped by the 2023 CBA. Managing salary cap restrictions is more important than ever.
By making Edey a central part of their plans, the Grizzlies can maintain competitiveness while avoiding the financial pitfalls that come with locking up multiple star players on max contracts. This gives Memphis the ability to continue building around Morant, Bane, and Jackson while adding depth to their roster.
Edey’s Role in Memphis’ Future
The Grizzlies are at a crossroads. They can choose to limit Edey’s role, focusing on the established stars who’ve been with the team for years, or they can make a bold move and build their future around him. Given his dominant preseason and the potential he’s shown, the choice should be clear.
By fully embracing Edey as part of their core, Memphis has the opportunity to develop a unique, dominant frontcourt duo with Jackson while maintaining financial flexibility. His presence on both ends of the floor addresses key weaknesses from last season and gives the Grizzlies a clear path forward. As Zach Edey prepares for his regular-season debut, the Grizzlies must decide how to unlock his full potential. If they do, it could pay off in a big way, not just this season but for years to come.
