The Rookie of the Year race will be fun, and Edey is in pole position.
The Rookie of the Year award is always exciting because it does not have the duplicate narrative-based voting that people see with Most Valuable Player. Most of the time, winning ROY often means the player had the best stats and was the most productive for their team.
To get lofty stats, a player must get the opportunity to shine, and Edey is a starter for the Grizzlies. Since Coach Taylor Jenkins is committed to Zach being his starting center, the former Purdue Boilermaker could become the 2025 ROY. ESPN's Tim Bontemps echoes that sentiment because he feels Edey's heavy minutes could help him make a compelling case.
"A lot of guys you could pencil in to get for big minutes and also big production. That is why Zach Edey ticks a lot of boxes. He seemingly guaranteed a big role on a team that could be good," Bontemps said on ESPN's The Hoop Collective. "He's also a guy, at least in theory, who can walk into the league and be productive. So, he's certainly my pick for the award."
The Grizzlies want to maximize Edey as soon as possible
Memphis came into the 2024 offseason with the desire to add a center to the roster. They realize that Jaren Jackson Jr. is a phenomenal player but disliked playing as the center, as he loved playing the power forward position. Steven Adams' injury and subsequent trade forced Trip into the center role, but the team confirmed he needed support in the frontcourt.
They went into the NBA Draft with the desire to draft back-to-back champion Donovan Clingan out of UConn, but when he got scooped up by the Portland Trail Blazers with the seventh-overall pick, Edey was a natural choice.
With what he has shown in Summer League and Training Camp, Zach is NBA-ready, which bodes well for the Grizzlies' plan of starting him from day 1.
Edey can become a star for Memphis
Everyone recognizes that the Grizzlies are Ja Morant's team, but he will need support to make the team compete for a championship. His supporting cast of Jackson and Desmond Bane is decent, but having a fourth teammate like Edey could be a decisive factor for their championship aspirations.
Zach might not be the most athletic center, but he could be as effective as most elite centers if he meets his potential. His 7'4" frame is already an advantage, but Morant feeding him the ball could lead to some productive seasons with the team. However, Rookie of the Year is probably the most significant possibility heading into his first NBA season.
Related: Jaren Jackson Jr. has found a way to make an impact even without playing on the court