The Memphis Grizzlies might have found an offensive star with Zach Edey

Edey has the skill set to become a dominant big, including a signature move.

Zach Edey has become one of the most exciting rookies in the NBA's 2024/25 season. The Memphis Grizzlies scooped him up with the ninth overall pick, and it looks like the team is not regretting the selection. It has only been preseason, but Edey has already developed a vital skill set from his college days with Purdue and Training Camp with the Grizzlies.

The 7'4" frame has helped him become one of the best prospects in the country, but that also led to criticism and projections about him being a suboptimal fit for the league. People made mistakes before the preseason because he moves his feet well, and he has found a signature move that opponents struggle to guard: the jump hook.

Opponents struggle to defend Edey

Standing at 7'4" is already a blessing for Edey because teams struggle to defend him. He is such a behemoth in the paint that he can seal his defender, catch the ball, do a couple of pound dribbles, and do his hook shot.

That will be his signature move for his NBA career, and it is nearly unstoppable unless he gets a double team on him. However, that would open up a teammate, as Edey could pass the ball to them. Of course, he has to develop his passing vision to become an even more significant threat, which would force the opposing team to gamble on making Zack take the shot or do the double team.

Edey is a walking mismatch for any opponent because he has the length and strength to back down almost any player. Even Victor Wembanyama, an inch taller than Zach, would struggle to defend him because he has the weight advantage.

Integrating Edey more into the Grizzlies' offense

While Edey could be a dominant scorer in the paint, he is a weird fit alongside the team's star players. Ja Morant is the superstar, and he plays more of a slashing point guard with absurd athleticism. That usually does not mix well with a player like Zach because he would clog up the painting if he were in there.

Thankfully, Coach Taylor Jenkins knows how to adjust his strategies because they could still run Edey with Morant, but mainly on the pick-and-roll. That has already happened in the preseason during their few minutes playing together, as the former Purdue standout threw down a dunk from a Ja-lob pass.

No matter how the Grizzlies approach playing the game, they will have to factor Edey into the plans. That is a huge testament to how good Zach has been in Training Camp and preseason because he has become a fixture without playing a regular-season game yet.

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