Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15). Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Edey would be the ideal replacement for Isaiah Hartenstein

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jun 12, 2024 9:08 AM ET

Zach Edey is the most polarizing player in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor has recently projected the rookie big man to fall into the New York Knicks' laps with the 25th pick.

The 7-foot-4 center would be the ideal replacement for Isaiah Hartenstein, who many expect to leave New York this summer. According to draft analyst Sam Vecenie, who spoke on a recent episode of the "Knicks Film School" podcast, Edey would be a strong fit with the Tom Thibodeau Knicks.

"The reason that I think [Tom Thibodeau] would like Edey is that Edey is an a— kicker," Vecenie said. "There’s not really another way to put what Zach Edey does on the court. He is an awesome screener, which is really important for [the Knicks] offense. He flips screens, he re-screens, he’s just really good in terms of getting his man some separation."

New York is one of the few NBA teams that doesn't task its bigs with shooting threes. Thibodeau prefers his centers to set hard screens, score in the post, battle for rebounds and protect the rim. Edey excels at all of those things and brings size and physicality to the equation.

One of the biggest questions currently surrounding Edey's ability to thrive in the NBA is whether he has the motor to deal with the game's speed. Thibodeau's Knicks finished last in pace this season, averaging 95.96 possessions per game. As such, Edey couldn't ask for a better offensive and defensive system to land with.

The Knicks have the draft assets to move up in the selection process if they believe Edey could be off the board by the time it's their turn to pick.

If they truly want the incoming big man, they should be aggressive in their pursuit. He would be a strong fit off the Knicks bench and would cushion the blow of potentially losing Hartenstein.

Most of all, he could wind up becoming one of the best interior scoring centers in the NBA. That would push New York closer to the championship it has been searching for.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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