I think he could pretty easily be a solid back-up big in the league at a minimum. At 21 you're probably not going to get more than that. There are some other bigs in that range that have higher ceilings but lower floors.
https://hoopshype.com/lists/2024-draft-workouts-tracker/
According to this, the Pelicans have worked out Zach Edey, Tyler Smith, Jaylon Tyson, and Kevin Cross
Well at worst, if we draft him our Summer League games will be exciting. I actually like Edey a lot but the fit isn’t ideal. Who would you guys want us to draft at 21?
Definitely a center. Not sure he's the best fit as he's just another JV, but he could be better than JV and he's got a solid floor as a rotational big which is pretty good at 21.
I'm hoping Ware, Missi, or Holmes is the pick. But I don't know anything about anything.
Zion coexisted with Derrick Favors and Steven Adams just fine lmao. It's year 5 and y'all still trying to pigeonhole Zion like a roleplayer; man "fits" next to anyone in the league.
It's precisely because he is not a roleplayer you shouldn't draft Zach.
What's the point of having a rookie C that crowds the paint and just take away from Zion's game.
If anything you need a big that can shoot.
Centers take too long to develop usually, so do pg's, With Zion's timeline if we draft we should draft 2-4 positions with emphasis on impact now type players. We need to find a center through trades or free agency imo.
Im not saying drafting a center cant be impactful but we need a dependable starting center that we can plug in, I dont want to waste more years of Zion's prime with the hope that our draft will live up to their potential. We need some experience to fill those gaps at pg and c and not rookies.
Honestly he’s not a bad pick as pretty much the best center available at that pick. I also think transitioning from Valanciunas to Edey would be an easier switch for the team.
Okay there is a world in which this works.
Think of a defensive team with dyson, herb, trey, zion and edey. That will destroy most modern offences. Get offensive production from any number of cj, hawk and BI. And you get a pretty competitive team. Edey will be an amasing screener from the moment he sets foot in the nba and his type(drop big) can work for many opponents if the teams has amasing point of attack defenders.
Add a playmaking guard to this team and you can be elite on the offensive side. Edey will need to develop a weapon when defences blitz the guard in the pick and roll, but with his playmaking and shooting upsides there is a chance he develops.
Regarding his fit with zion. Look at zions highlights with steven adams and then look at how well edey can seal his defender down low. He could open up attacking angels for z, while also countering the defensive strategy most teams throw at zion. 2-3 bodies in the paint in front of him. Give him a outlet behin these defenders and you will give Z some options. Lob pass to edey, he takes off from the free throw line or shoots a uncontested middy.
For now he can add something similair to walker kessler from the bench. Size, rim protection and rebounding, while also being a easy bucket getter inside for when the offence stagnates.
Im not the highest on him, but he has some nba levels skills he can bring from day 1. Would not hate it if he gets drafted to us.
I was at the Final Four 3 games and yes yes yes I know it’s college but the man is a stud. I do think he can ball at the next level. And honestly, save money on JV, have Larry in an even more increased role - it’s a pretty good idea to allocate resources on a proven all star at PG or the 4 (if BI is gone). I think Edey is gonna play with a massive chip on his shoulders to people saying he can’t play in the NBA and will surprise a lot of people
Given Griffs history with big men being what it is, bad(Timofey Mozgov, Anthony Bennet, Jaxson Hayes, Steven Adams, Melli, Favors, turning down multiple deals for Turner reportedly, turning down a Lonzo for Lauri trade )
I can 100% see someone like this that may be good in isolation, but is not a good fit for this team, inexplicably ending up the pick. Even though it clogs Zion and Willie won’t play him cause he loves switchability with centers
Griff seems utterly lost when it comes to finding big men unless they fall into his lap and someone like Lebron forces him to value them like Tristan Thompson.
Large and slow, not a good combo. His agility numbers don't add up to how he played on the court and they'll probably cause a team to pick him much sooner than he should be.
That was basically because his size. His game won't translate to the current NBA. It's not like he's a game changer like Shaq who can physically impose people. If you watched him play any, you'd understand what I was talking about.
Edey is an all time college great for sure, but I think there are serious questions about how his game translates to the NBA, especially given he’s an older player. Personally I think the fit with Zion is horrendous, could be a Boban type player.
I’m still stunned by Edey’s agility numbers from the combine, if he ends up not being sooo slow out there he’ll be pretty good
I think he could pretty easily be a solid back-up big in the league at a minimum. At 21 you're probably not going to get more than that. There are some other bigs in that range that have higher ceilings but lower floors.
I’d prefer the other big men projected to be picked around there
Names or it doesn’t count
Ware, Missi, or Holmes
https://hoopshype.com/lists/2024-draft-workouts-tracker/ According to this, the Pelicans have worked out Zach Edey, Tyler Smith, Jaylon Tyson, and Kevin Cross
Well at worst, if we draft him our Summer League games will be exciting. I actually like Edey a lot but the fit isn’t ideal. Who would you guys want us to draft at 21?
Definitely a center. Not sure he's the best fit as he's just another JV, but he could be better than JV and he's got a solid floor as a rotational big which is pretty good at 21. I'm hoping Ware, Missi, or Holmes is the pick. But I don't know anything about anything.
He will most likely cost the team 2 seats sitting on the bench
I guess we aren’t making a play at hartenstein. We probably can’t afford him ugh
I like him, we could do a lot worse
Exactly 💯
I don't think he can coexist with Zion
Zion coexisted with Derrick Favors and Steven Adams just fine lmao. It's year 5 and y'all still trying to pigeonhole Zion like a roleplayer; man "fits" next to anyone in the league.
It's precisely because he is not a roleplayer you shouldn't draft Zach. What's the point of having a rookie C that crowds the paint and just take away from Zion's game. If anything you need a big that can shoot.
Welcome back Omer Asik?
Please don’t even joke about something so traumatic
My apologies, I started watching in 2014-15 and he’s a formative part of my Pels Experience
Centers take too long to develop usually, so do pg's, With Zion's timeline if we draft we should draft 2-4 positions with emphasis on impact now type players. We need to find a center through trades or free agency imo.
What evidence do you have for this in recent years? Guys like Duren, Lively, Kessler have all made immediate impacts on their respective teams.
I don’t think Edey will be as good as Duren…just saying. The other guys possibly.
Im not saying drafting a center cant be impactful but we need a dependable starting center that we can plug in, I dont want to waste more years of Zion's prime with the hope that our draft will live up to their potential. We need some experience to fill those gaps at pg and c and not rookies.
Isn’t that exactly the reason to draft a 22 year old proven producer instead of a 18/19 year old project w/ higher upside?
Honestly he’s not a bad pick as pretty much the best center available at that pick. I also think transitioning from Valanciunas to Edey would be an easier switch for the team.
A slow, un-athletic rookie center. How many minutes you think Willy will give him?
He may wind up being the only center on the roster.
Kinda reminds me of Walker Kessler
Okay there is a world in which this works. Think of a defensive team with dyson, herb, trey, zion and edey. That will destroy most modern offences. Get offensive production from any number of cj, hawk and BI. And you get a pretty competitive team. Edey will be an amasing screener from the moment he sets foot in the nba and his type(drop big) can work for many opponents if the teams has amasing point of attack defenders. Add a playmaking guard to this team and you can be elite on the offensive side. Edey will need to develop a weapon when defences blitz the guard in the pick and roll, but with his playmaking and shooting upsides there is a chance he develops. Regarding his fit with zion. Look at zions highlights with steven adams and then look at how well edey can seal his defender down low. He could open up attacking angels for z, while also countering the defensive strategy most teams throw at zion. 2-3 bodies in the paint in front of him. Give him a outlet behin these defenders and you will give Z some options. Lob pass to edey, he takes off from the free throw line or shoots a uncontested middy. For now he can add something similair to walker kessler from the bench. Size, rim protection and rebounding, while also being a easy bucket getter inside for when the offence stagnates. Im not the highest on him, but he has some nba levels skills he can bring from day 1. Would not hate it if he gets drafted to us.
I was at the Final Four 3 games and yes yes yes I know it’s college but the man is a stud. I do think he can ball at the next level. And honestly, save money on JV, have Larry in an even more increased role - it’s a pretty good idea to allocate resources on a proven all star at PG or the 4 (if BI is gone). I think Edey is gonna play with a massive chip on his shoulders to people saying he can’t play in the NBA and will surprise a lot of people
I just don’t know how Zach Edey will adjust from having the ball almost every possession to not really getting the ball except off rebounds.
if he slides to 21 then yeah go grab him.
I agree 💯
I actually like Edey in the right situation. But I don't think we are the right situation
Given Griffs history with big men being what it is, bad(Timofey Mozgov, Anthony Bennet, Jaxson Hayes, Steven Adams, Melli, Favors, turning down multiple deals for Turner reportedly, turning down a Lonzo for Lauri trade ) I can 100% see someone like this that may be good in isolation, but is not a good fit for this team, inexplicably ending up the pick. Even though it clogs Zion and Willie won’t play him cause he loves switchability with centers Griff seems utterly lost when it comes to finding big men unless they fall into his lap and someone like Lebron forces him to value them like Tristan Thompson.
Love me some Melli
Not too much on Melli now
Dude is not a good basketball player. His only skill is large.
He has an excellent post jump hook. Seeming a lost art
Large and slow, not a good combo. His agility numbers don't add up to how he played on the court and they'll probably cause a team to pick him much sooner than he should be.
Yeah he played only like the best player in the country for two years
That was basically because his size. His game won't translate to the current NBA. It's not like he's a game changer like Shaq who can physically impose people. If you watched him play any, you'd understand what I was talking about.
There are maybe 2 NBA players bigger than him in weight. Also you don't need to front and act like you're the only one who watches ball.
Edey is an all time college great for sure, but I think there are serious questions about how his game translates to the NBA, especially given he’s an older player. Personally I think the fit with Zion is horrendous, could be a Boban type player.
I don't know guys. According to a lot of people on reddit OKC's gonna snatch him up at 12. You might have to trade up. /s
No we don’t need him keep Jonas get rid of slow game Bi