Zach Edey's rookie of the year odds as Memphis Grizzlies begin NBA season
The Memphis Grizzlies had their 2023-24 season derailed by injuries, but there was at least one silver lining — they landed the No. 9 overall pick in the NBA draft and took Purdue center Zach Edey.
Center was a major need heading into the offseason: Steven Adams had been traded to the Houston Rockets last season and there was little returning depth on the roster. General manager Zach Kleiman filled that need with Edey, who at 7-foot-4 will be the tallest player in the NBA this season.
Edey also projects as an instant starter for a Grizzlies team that is hoping to be a Western Conference contender again. After an electric summer league debut, Edey became the favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year.
He's still the favorite as the season kicks off — Edey is +300, according to BetMGM, ahead of Houston's Reed Sheppard and Atlanta's Zaccharie Risacher.
The NBA season tips off on Tuesday. The Grizzlies begin their season on Wednesday (8 p.m. CT, FanDuel Sports Network) against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.
NBA Rookie of Year odds: Zach Edey
Zach Edey, Grizzlies: +300
Reed Sheppard, Rockets: +750
Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks: +900
Alexandre Sarr, Wizards: +1000
Matas Buzelis, Bulls: +1000
Stephon Castle, Spurs: +1200
Dalton Knecht, Lakers: +1200
Bub Carrington, Wizards: +1800
Donovan Clingan, Trail Blazers: +2000
Ron Holland, Pistons: +2500
Zach Edey preseason stats
Edey missed most of the NBA Summer League with injuries, but he played in all five of the Grizzlies' preseason games. He scored in double figures in three of those games. His best preseason performance came against the Pacers, when he had 23 points and nine rebounds.
He played between 18 and 22 minutes in all five games.
Is Zach Edey in Grizzlies' starting lineup?
When everyone is healthy, Edey is expected to start for the Grizzlies alongside Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Coach Taylor Jenkins said Jackson, who has a hamstring injury, will miss the opener against the Jazz, though, so he could be replaced by Santi Aldama.
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Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Zach Edey NBA rookie of year odds: Memphis Grizzlies center stands
