When the Memphis Grizzlies selected 7-foot-6 Zach Edey in the 2024 draft, most of the reaction was positive. His pick was, and still is, a logical choice. The Grizzlies have needed size for a while, especially in Jaren Jackson Jr., who has struggled to rebound.
However, with point guard Ja Morant back and the team presumably healthy, it’s fair to wonder if Edey will get substantial minutes out of the gate.
It wouldn’t be surprising if head coach Taylor Jenkins decided to use Edey sporadically early in the season and use most of the regular season to gradually increase his playing time and areas of responsibility. The overarching question regarding Edey is whether he can justify a high volume of post touches, which slows down the offense and runs down the clock.
If the 22-year-old can convert 60 percent of his shots right away, that question answers itself, but in today’s NBA, where strategy diversity is all the rage, it’s about being able to implement it in the most effective way possible.
The Grizzlies are therefore expected to be interested in the Phoenix Suns after the trade of Shaquille O’Neal in 2008.
The Suns were one of the fastest teams in the league, as noted in their “Seven Seconds or Less” system, and the addition of O’Neal, then a top-notch post player, was not well received by fans.
However, head coach Mike D’Antoni implemented a system called “Seven Seconds or Shaq,” essentially reserving the big man for half-court situations.
The Grizzlies could take a similar approach, especially because Morant, Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane can run all night. That approach would allow Edey to have a prominent role in certain situations, and it would allow Jenkins to bring him to his own pace.
Finally, Jenkins could also ask Edey to focus more of his energy on rebounding early in the season, in order to simply secure possessions, allowing the younger part of the core to get out and run.
No matter how the Grizzlies plan to play, Edey has options to succeed.
Unless otherwise stated, all statistics via NBA.com, PBP Statistics, Cleaning the window Or Basketball reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sports Betting.
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