MEMPHIS, Tenn — Depending on what side of the aisle a fan landed on, there is either love for the Grizzlies pick up of Zach Edey in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft - or there is hate.
The Grizzlies selected Edey ninth overall on Wednesday night, standing pat at their original draft spot. There was mixed response on the ABC and ESPN broadcasts of the draft when Edey's name was called.
Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman maintains that Edey was a part of the Grizzlies Wednesday night plans all along and dispelled rumors that the team tried to trade up to draft Donovan Clingan.
Edey's immense size lends itself to making an impact quickly. Few Grizzlies know more about impact play, especially on the defensive end than Tony Allen.
The former Grizzlies forward put a pause on surprising kids at Ripley High School to give his two cents on whether Edey was the right pick for the Grizzlies.
"I think this is a guy who is dominant in the post. A guy who could come learn the offense and be very effective," Allen said. "If we look at his work that he's done in college, he's a ready to play right now guy. I'm pressed with the pick the Grizzlies have in Edey."
Allen was a six-time NBA All-Defense selection, but noted the offensive impact that Edey could make.
The 7'4" big man out of Purdue lends himself to the kind of screening and rebounding that made Steven Adams so effective for the Grizzlies. Allen sees a similar vision in Edey's pairings with Grizzlies All-Stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
"He's a plug and play guy. You can use him in the one-five pick-and-roll. With Ja Morant's explosiveness, it's just a drop off at the basket, finish at the rim," Allen said. "It opens up shots for Jaren Jackson as well, he loves to play on the perimeter. He can shoot the ball pretty well from three. I think it compliments a lot of those guys."
Edey joins Victor Wembanyama and Boban Marjanovic as the tallest players in the NBA. Allen notes that Edey's frame will make him a mismatch for anybody smaller than him that tries to guard on the block.
The Grizzlies selected Washington State wing Jaylen Wells and UConn guard Cam Spencer in the second round of the NBA Draft. All three rookies will be introduced in a press conference on Friday at FedExForum.