Potential landing spots for Zach Edey in NBA Draft

Five teams are among the most intriguing potential landing spots for the former Purdue star.

Indiana Pacers

Edey spent the last four years in West Lafayette and would only have to travel 65 miles southeast to start his NBA career if the Pacers selected him. He would also likely boost the team's poor rebounding rate. Indiana is 21st in offensive rebound rate (24.8 percent) and 25th in defensive rebound rate (72.8 percent), with center Myles Turner the team's tallest player at 6-foot-11.

The Pacers run a fast tempo on offense, which somewhat muddies the fit. But it's difficult not to imagine point guard Tyrese Haliburton making the most out of easy lob opportunities to Edey. With Turner's ability to shoot from deep, Edey could also play with the nine-year Pacers vet instead of it being an either/or proposition.

Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James is a fan, telling reporters during March Madness he enjoyed watching Purdue "because of Zach Edey. 'Cause he's a great player." Anthony Davis would also likely approve, as playing alongside Edey would mean he could slide back to being a power forward, his preferred position. Davis can also defend from the perimeter, masking Edey's limitations by allowing him to focus on inside scoring threats. Los Angeles is also last in the league in offensive rebound rate (21.3 percent). Per KenPom, Edey had the third-highest offensive rebound rate in the country (18.1 percent) this season. 

Note: The New Orleans Pelicans control the rights to the Lakers' 2024 first-round pick but could defer it to 2025.

New Orleans Pelicans

Edey could provide New Orleans with critical front-court depth. Jonas Valanciunas is a pending free agent, leaving Larry Nance Jr. as the team's lone center for next season. If Valanciunas returns, Edey could develop slowly while also providing more than backup center Cody Zeller has this season. The Pelicans are one of the league's best three-point shooting teams, diminishing concerns about spacing even with Zion Williamson on the floor.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are another poor rebounding team that could use Edey. They average 39.2 rebounds per game, 28th in the league. Oklahoma City, one of the West's top teams, has several key pieces to be a contender for years to come. If Edey can become an elite NBA rebounder after years of being one of the best in college, the Thunder could really roar.

San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio's primary objective in the 2024 NBA Draft should be finding a guard to pair with Victor Wembanyama, but if Edey's stock dips, the Spurs might be able to add him, too. In Tankathon's most recent mock draft, he falls to the first pick of the second round (No. 31 overall) to the Raptors. Chances are he won't be around when the Spurs pick at No. 33, but if he is still on the board near the end of the first round, the Spurs should inquire about the cost of moving up. Opposing players would likely find it next to impossible to get shots off in the lane against San Antonio's potential pair of 7-footers. It might not be long until the duo towers over the NBA in more than just the literal sense of the word.