All eyes in Memphis will be on the return of star point guard, Ja Morant, but there’s another arrival on Beale Street that has a chance to push the Grizzlies into title contention.
And he stands at a whopping 7-foot-4, hailing from Toronto, Canada.
Edey is coming in hoping to be the missing piece for this Grizzlies squad, to help put them over the top
Zach Edey, the ninth overall pick in the draft and two-time national college player of the year, arrives in Memphis with expectations almost as big as his wingspan.
7-10 and three-fourths by the way.
The Grizzlies are counting on one of the most decorated college basketball players of all time to be the piece that finally gets them over the hump.
Not only is Memphis hoping Edey can elevate the team’s ceiling (literally), but they are also hoping he can unlock Morant at a level that he hasn’t reached, but has threatened.
Pairing Edey with Morant in pick-and-roll action is going to open up the Memphis offense, specifically in the half court, in ways they haven’t had in the past.
Setting thundering screens, rolling to the paint, catching anything thrown his way with his massive frame, is going to make Morant’s life a whole lot easier.
The two worked out together over the summer when Morant invited him to the Dallas area to train, where they started to develop chemistry and a feel for one another.
“The leader and person that he is has been great,” Edey said. ” . . . He makes me feel welcomed. He’s always trying to get everyone involved and make everyone feel comfortable.”
“I’m pretty sure everybody love the connection me and Zach got,” Morant said.
A connection that the Grizzlies and their fans are hoping gets them over the top.
Edey averaged 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in five preseason games
Not to mention the spacing Edey will provide next to Jaren Jackson Jr. and the looks that sniper Desmond Bane will be able to get.
It was evident that Edey was getting better throughout each game in the preseason, which is a positive sign for Memphis.
In his preseason debut, Edey committed five fouls but only committed three more the rest of the way.
Offensively, he displayed his post-game that made him so dominant in college and has been able to transfer it over to the pro game so far.
He also displayed his rim protecting ability, recording five blocks.
The next step for Edey will be learning how to play next to Jackson Jr. who missed all of preseason with a hamstring injury.
The former Defensive Player of the Year is at his best when he plays next to a traditional center (Steven Adams, Jonas Valančiūnas), so that will be the hope with Edey being slotted next to him.
Memphis has been off the radar after having a disastrous 27-55 campaign last season, due in large part to Morant’s absence via suspension and then season-ending shoulder surgery.
Now Morant is back, along with Bane, Jackson Jr. and now Edey – alongside the defensive prowess of Marcus Smart in his second season with the team.
A potential starting five that looks to be one of the best in the league.
Morant is will be as motivated as ever, looking to remind everyone that he is still one of the best in the game.
To prove to everyone that he is still, that dude.
Only this time around, he is going to have a 7-foot-4 sidekick to help him.
A warning for the rest of the Association, Morant and the Grizzlies are back.