Zach Edey. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Can Zach Edey be a reliable defender in the NBA?

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 4/2/24

Zach Edey is one of the most polarizing talents heading into the 2024 NBA Draft. The Purdue product is a throwback big man. He thrives in the post and plays with his back to the basket. He's not quick enough to be deemed a rim-runner, and doesn't have the perimeter jumper to be seen as a modern center.

As such, there are some question marks surrounding his fit in the modern NBA.

Gilbert Arenas is the latest to question how Edey will survive in the league. He questioned how the incoming rookie will cope when playing defense on the perimeter.

"I'm pretty sure he will slip," Arenas said on his podcast. "How's he gonna play defense in the NBA now? ... It's a different game. So, unless he can develop a defensive strategy of moving around the perimeter, being switched on. So, wasting a lottery pick on that, I don't see it happening."

Any team that acquires Edey will be doing so knowing that he's a drop defender. There are plenty of bigs that have limited lateral quickness, but can still thrive when protecting the rim. The key is having a defensive system that allows them to operate between the free-throw line and the restricted area.

Edey isn't the first throwback center to enter the NBA since the shift towards the pace and space movement. He will undoubtedly need to learn how to operate around the three-point line as a screener and dribble hand-off initiator. And he will need to learn how to slide his feet at pace on defense. Nevertheless, he will likely find a role off the bench in the NBA.

That said, big men often develop at a slower pace than other positions. As such, it may take a year or two until we start to see him make an impact in the league. Nevertheless, he is talented enough to earn a spot within a rotation. Being a throwback big does hinder his ceiling, but it doesn't mean he's going to be a bust right out of the gate.

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