What Zach Edey's offseason surgery means for Grizzlies moving forward

We're now two seasons removed from the Grizzlies swaggering into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the West. 

Ja Morant said, "I’m fine in the West," and while that quote didn't age well at all, the team was genuinely on the come-up. 

Fast forward, and it's been nothing but turbulence: Morant’s suspension saga, injuries and a superstar trajectory that’s gone more sideways than up. Now, there's Zach Edey’s offseason surgery, which may point to another disappointing season lurking around the corner.

The 7-foot-4 rookie out of Purdue turned heads in his first NBA season because he showed signs of real impact on the floor. Edey gave the Grizzlies something they’ve desperately needed, which was size, rebounding and rim protection off the bench. 

In a league that’s increasingly favoring switchable wings and pace, Edey was a throwback with modern potential. But now, after a procedure necessary to stabilize his ankle, he’ll be out to start the 2025-26 season. That’s a blow Memphis can’t afford.

Losing Edey early isn’t just a minor depth issue, as it could shift the way Memphis plays, especially with its frontcourt already paper-thin. Steven Adams is long gone, and Jaren Jackson Jr., while elite defensively, isn’t a true five and has struggled with foul trouble when forced to play extended center minutes. He may not even be there much longer due to contract concerns. 

That means more pressure on backup bigs who haven’t proved they can anchor lineups. Without Edey as a rim deterrent or effective rebounder, the Grizzlies could find themselves giving up a ton of second-chance points.

Offensively, Edey was never going to light it up, but his size created spacing simply by his existence. Guards had an easier time navigating pick-and-rolls, and his screens were opening up looks for shooters like Desmond Bane. Without him, that downhill offense takes a hit. It’s back to relying on finesse, and when you look at the field, that may not bode well for the Grizzlies. The West is stacked. 

Of course, no one's saying Edey is the missing piece to a title run. But when your margin for error is already this slim, every absence matters. Especially when your franchise player is still trying to get back into rhythm post-injury and post-suspension, and your identity as a team is more unclear than ever.

For Memphis, it’s starting to feel like it'll never get back to what seemed like the beginning of dominance two seasons ago. There's no reason that the Grizzlies shouldn't be contenders in the West based on their talent. But if this offseason is any indication, it’s the same story with a slightly different headline.