When Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant returns from injury next season, he’ll be playing alongside a group very similar to the one he played with last time out. With a limited number of players added to their roster this summer, the Grizzlies believe health is the only thing standing between them and the title race.
Memphis did indeed sign Purdue center Zach Edey with the ninth pick in the 2024 NBA draft, a move clearly made to fill a need. When Memphis traded Steven Adams last year, they needed a center who could set screens, rebound and defend the basket.
By selecting the 7-foot-4 Edey with their first-round pick, the Grizzlies will likely give the rookie center an opportunity to compete for the starting center job.
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) July 9, 2024
Having a center with Edey’s skill set is especially important for Memphis when Morant is on the court. Setting good screens and allowing Morant to get downhill opens up a lot of possibilities for the Grizzlies’ offense, including lob opportunities for the rolling screener.
Sharing some exclusive training footage with Edey, Morant has Grizzlies fans excited not only with his individual good looks, but also with how great the duo looks together:
Footage from the workout is shared on the last slide of this article, and it shows Morant throwing lob passes, entry passes, short passes and more to his new center.
If the Grizzlies get a high-level two-man game from Morant and Edey this year, it will unlock a new dynamic for their team.
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