There Is A NBA Team Who Could Benefit Largely With Zach Edey
Center Zach Edey's skillset fits well on the Miami Heat
With the Purdue Boilermakers’ college basketball season now over, center Zach Edey will prepare to enter the 2024 NBA draft. While it’s unclear which team will draft him, he could fit very well with the Miami Heat.
Right now, the Heat hold a 44-35 record and are in good position to make the playoffs. But their roster doesn’t consist of many reliable centers. In fact, with Bam Adebayo as their starting big man, Kevin Love finds himself coming off the bench and switching between the power forward and center spots.
Adebayo has played the majority of his career in the low post, rarely stepping outside the 3-point line. He established himself as one of the best defenders at his position, making four All-Defensive Teams and finishing in top five for the Defensive of the Year award voting four straight seasons. As for his offensive skillset, he usually collect his point directly at the rim.
However, he has now expanded his offensive game to the deep range. Though he only averages 0.2 3-pointers this year, he is shooting a career-high 37.8% from that area. He has also logged in a career-high total of 14 3-pointers so far this season, including three games with two.
Adebayo’s new skill could allow the Heat another center
With Adebayo seemingly finding a decent 3-point game, the Heat are in a favorable condition to go after Edey. During his four years at Purdue, Edey has formed himself as the much-needed standard center, particularly in the latter three. In those final three seasons combined, he logged in averages of 23.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. He even led the NCAA in scoring during his last season with an average of 25.2 points a game.
Although most modern-day NBA centers have spaced themselves out beyond the arc, it’s always beneficial for a team to have a big man who dominates in the paint. If the Heat can find a way to draft Edey, they could have another contending roster.
Cory Nelson is a contributor to Fansided’s Wiz of Awes. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson, Instagram @ckenzynelson, and Threads @ckenzynelson