Local Connection? - Edey to the Pacers is Possible

One of the biggest NBA Draft night questions this June will be the landing spot of Purdue big man Zach Edey. The 7' 4", 300-pound Boilermaker was last year’s National Player of the Year and is certainly on the ballot again in 2024 as Purdue looks to secure a #1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award winner tested the NBA waters last summer, only to return for his senior season in West Lafayette. Edey is averaging 23 points and 11 rebounds per game for Purdue this season.

Several factors led to Edey’s return. With Final Four expectations heading into the 2023 NCAA Tournament, Edey and the Boilers lost in one of the most shocking upsets in NCAA Tournament history. Top seeded Purdue lost to #16 Fairleigh Dickinson 63-58. It was a game that saw the Boilermakers shoot an unprecedented 19% from 3 point range and only 35% from the field. Edey scored 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds but was virtually nonexistent over the final 6 minutes of the game. As a sophomore, Edey and the Boilermakers lost in the Sweet 16 to #15 Saint Peters while his freshman season saw Purdue get bounced in the first round to #14 North Texas. Edey also made an estimated $800,000 from NIL money this season.

Although Purdue fans will miss the big man lacing up for the Boilers, all things must come to an end. Edey will declare for the NBA Draft and the waiting game will start from there. He is efficient from the floor, shoots a high percentage from the free throw line, but can he keep pace in a fast tempo NBA?

There is no doubt value with his size and efficiency at the next level, but don’t expect Edey to be starting on an NBA roster anytime soon. At the NBA level, Edey will have to lose some weight and develop an outside shot. Many mock drafts have Edey being selected in the late first round, while others have him falling into the second round. Right now, it’s really unknown how his game will translate on the NBA floor but a team will certainly take a chance on Edey.

So Draft Nation asks, why not the hometown Pacers? The Pacers currently hold the 50th, 54th and 58th pick in the NBA Draft. This would add another big man to the roster behind Myles Turner, Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson and Oscar Tshiebwe. But consider this, Pacer fans… if Indiana can get Edey with one of those three picks, should they?

With the NBA G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants moving to Fishers, Edey would be a perfect fit to attract fans from Purdue and the Pacers to the arena. If Edey works out and gets some NBA minutes in his first year, great. If not, he would be a great addition to the Pacers' G League affiliate. Don’t be surprised to see the Pacers pull the trigger on Edey with one of those late second round selections if he’s still on the board.