While the Memphis Grizzlies struggled down the stretch, made a late coaching change, and were swept from the opening round of the playoffs, there were some positives that fans could take from the season. The team had an excellent rookie class led by Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells. They finished fifth and third respectively in Rookie of the Year voting. Both were named to the All-Rookie First Team. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, a Zach Edey injury is likely to keep him out for the start of the 2025-26 season.
First Team All-Rookie Member Expected To Miss Start Of 2025-26
Zach Edey Injury May Sideline Him To Begin Next Season
The Grizzlies selected Edey with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. While that was higher than many draft pundits expected him to be picked, the 7-foot-4 big man proved to be a wise selection. Starting 55 of his 66 outings in 2024-25, he posted averages of 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. Edey shot 58.0% from the field, 70.9% from the foul line, and also was among the league leaders with his 3.5 offensive rebounds per game.
In a game against the Denver Nuggets on November 17, Edey sprained his left ankle and was forced to leave. The 23-year-old would be out of action for the next 12 games before returning to the court on December 15.
Now it seems as if that left ankle has once again been sprained. As first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, Edey has re-injured that ankle in an offseason workout earlier this week. He will have surgery to re-stabilize the ankle, and it is now expected that the center will miss the start of the 2025-26 season.
ESPN reporting: Memphis Grizzlies All-Rookie center Zach Edey re-sprained his left ankle in an offseason workout this week and will undergo surgery to re-stabilize the ankle. Edey will likely miss the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season. pic.twitter.com/v1jDJ4TU2g
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 7, 2025
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This is a tough break for Edey and Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iiasalo. Iiasalo became the interim head coach with just nine games remaining in the regular season. After Memphis was eliminated, the team announced he will become the permanent head coach starting next season. Now in his first full year as the head man, Iiasalo knows his team will be shorthanded from the get-go.
Options To Replace Him In Starting Lineup
When Edey was out with his sprained ankle last season, it was Brandon Clarke taking his spot in Memphis’ starting lineup. Clarke is mostly utilized as a power forward, and that made Jaren Jackson Jr. move to center in Edey’s absence. A similar move could be made while Edey is indefinitely out.
Another possibility could be placing Santi Aldama with the starters until Edey is ready to return. Aldama was the Grizzlies top reserve last season but also did start 16 games. In order for this to be a possibility though, the team must first re-sign him. The 24-year-old is entering restricted free agency in the offseason.
No matter what Iiasalo decides to do, it will be rather difficult to replace the size and skill of Edey, who was a two-time National Player of the Year while at Purdue.
Photo credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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