Zach Edey NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Grizzlies Roster
June 27, 2024
The Memphis Grizzlies selected Purdue center Zach Edey, the reigning back-to-back consensus national player of the year, with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft on Wednesday.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Zach Edey
Position: C
Height: 7'4"
Pro Comparison: Jonas Valančiūnas
Scouting Report: College basketball's most dominant player for two consecutive seasons, Edey became more believable this year to NBA scouts by improving his mobility, footwork and conditioning. Despite no ball-handling, shooting or switchability on defense, a team can still find use for a 7'4" finisher, low-post scorer, offensive rebounder and shot-blocker.
Zach Edey, C: Rookie-scale contract
Ja Morant, PG: $36.7M (2028)
Desmond Bane, SG: $34M (2029)
Jaren Jackson Jr., PF: $25.3M (2026)
Marcus Smart, PG: $20.2M (2026)
Brandon Clarke, PF: $12.5M (2027)
John Konchar, SG: $6.2M (2027)
Ziaire Williams, SF: $6.1M (2025)
Santi Aldama, C: $4M (2025)
Derrick Rose, PG: $3.4M (2025)
Jake LaRavia, PF: $3.4M (2025)
Vincent Williams Jr., SF: $2.1M (2027)
G.G. Jackson, PF: $1.9M (2027)
Trey Jemison, PF: Two way (2025)
Scotty Pippen Jr., PG: Two way (2025)
Luke Kennard, SG: Club option
Yuta Watanabe, SF: Player option
Lamar Stevens, SF: UFA
Jordan Goodwin, PG: RFA
Rundown
There hasn't been a more dominant men's college hoops player than Edey over the past two seasons. Last year was his best effort, resulting in 25.2 points on 62.3 percent shooting, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks over 39 starts. Thanks largely to his efforts, Purdue reached the national championship game.
At 7'4" and 300 pounds, Edey is undoubtedly an intimidating presence in the post. He's going to be a big problem for anyone he encounters in the key on either end.
His big issue, as has been discussed, is whether he can excel on the next level. Edey is not particularly mobile, and that may be an issue in the NBA, where bigs can stretch the floor on offense and defend on the perimeter. He hasn't shown an ability to do either at this stage.
Still, it's too hard to simply ignore his size and production, and that should at minimum keep him on NBA rosters for quite some time. The big question is where his ceiling will land.
