NBA Draft 2024 Rumors: Zach Edey Linked to Grizzlies Amid Donovan Clingan Buzz

The Memphis Grizzlies could be a potential destination for Purdue center Zach Edey in the 2024 NBA draft.

Although NBA insider Marc Stein noted the Grizzlies' "interest in trading up" for UConn center Donovan Clingan, the team could also go in a different direction. Stein wrote on Wednesday that opposing teams have posed the question of Memphis potentially being a "stealth team" to select Edey if a trade doesn't materialize.

The 2024 Big Ten Player of the Year is also a candidate to join the Grizzlies if they attempt to move down in the first round.

While the Grizzlies could keep the No. 9 overall pick and select Edey, they might also choose to trade down as there's a good chance he'll still be on the board after the first 10 names are called.

In the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman, the 22-year-old fell to the No. 13 overall selection before he was picked by the Sacramento Kings.

Wasserman highlighted Edey's success in the post in his scouting report.

"Edey will continue playing to his strengths as a low-post scorer, finisher, offensive rebounder and drop defender," Wasserman wrote. "He just won't be used as often, and his minutes figure to be more in line with a backup's or lower-level starter's because of defensive limitations."

The 7'4" center was phenomenal throughout his senior season at Purdue, leading the Boilermakers to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament title game before falling to Clingan's Huskies.

Edey averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game in 39 starts while shooting 62.3 percent from the field. While he only attempted two total long-range shots during the season, he looked comfortable firing away from behind the arc at the NBA scouting combine in May.

Matt Moore of Action Network reported on Wednesday that Memphis has offered "as many as three picks" to try and trade up into Clingan's projected range. If the Grizzlies are unable to move up, Edey represents an intriguing fallback option.

The first round of the draft begins on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.