Memphis Grizzlies draft Zach Edey ninth overall

It’s a timeless debate. Should a team draft for need or take the best player available?

The Memphis Grizzlies front office has earned a reputation for winning the draft on a yearly basis, finding diamonds in the rough with almost every pick.

This year, Zach Kleiman opted to draft based on their glaring need for a center rather than taking any of the handful of better available players.

There were reports that Memphis and Charlotte were closing in on a deal that would have allowed Memphis to move up to pick six to select Donovan Clingan, who would have been both best available and a need filler.

The Grizzlies traded injured center Steven Adams who was a perfect fit next to Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. His devastating screens cleared the way for Morant’s high-flying play while he covered the rebounding weaknesses of Jackson Jr. Adams was a high level playmaker in the pinch-post and formed one of the best two man tandems in the league with Bane.

Edey will fill the rebounding void and be able to set screens for Morant. The question for all bigs coming into the NBA is around their ability to switch defensively. You would assume he will have a presence as a rim protecter simply because of his size, but will teams relentlessly hunt Edey on defense because he is not quick laterally.

The Grizzlies are known to climb back into the first round and take one of the productive four year guys. If Dalton Knecht slips, could we see more of Memphis on night one?