He started his NBA career a bit slowly over the first week, struggling with foul trouble and his positioning overall. However, he’s been extremely valuable since then. Since Oct. 30, Edey is averaging 13.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and over an assist, steal and block per game.

Leading into the NBA Draft, teams’ front offices usually will huddle together and watch a coveted prospect in person. But as the Memphis Grizzlies deliberated over whether to select Zach Edey, however, they evaluated the potential lottery pick differently.

Anthony Davis was tested in the Lakers' win on Wednesday against the Grizzlies when he was matched up against rookie center Zach Edey.

The Los Angeles Lakers have now gotten two looks at the Memphis Grizzlies in their first 11 games, splitting the matchups evenly. Anthony Davis sat out the first game, however, so Wednesday night marked the first time he got a look at one of the most polarizing draft picks from the 2024 NBA Draft in big man Zach Edey.

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey was impactful against the Los Angeles Lakers, but there's still a lot of room for growth.

The Memphis Grizzlies front office had a lot to prove this past offseason. An injury-riddled 2023-24 diminished any preseason expectations, and raised questions as to what the Grizzlies were going to do to bolster their depth heading into a new year.