I'd like to say we had some ground breaking inside scoop, but unsurprisingly, Edey's small group of confidants, friends, family, and agent have kept things close to the vest. This is part of the reason why Painter has been so hands off and Edey has said it himself - there's no bad decision here. Edey is a mature, smart, and thoughtful person surrounded by people with his best interest of heart. No one's going to leak the biggest choice of his life ahead of time.
But today is the decision day. Will Edey leave Purdue early, taking a chance in the NBA and living every college basketball player's dream, or will he return as the reigning, undisputed National Player of the Year with a team that would vault into the top-5 with the news?
Here's the optimist view for Edey returning to Purdue:
Edey is still a big and bigs just don't look or play like him in the NBA anymore. Brook Lopez is a comparison he made this week and would be the best case scenario, for sure, for Edey in the NBA, but Edey still has a long way in making that kind of impact on defense, stretching the floor, and passing.
Edey only worked out for two teams. This suggests that a lot of teams aren't willing or wanting to be tempted by a big they don't see as NBA viable. (There's always the caveat that a gm or two is old on him enough that they didn't need or want to see him or have him testing for other teams, but that kind of play works more with players that are certain to go in the first round than someone who can't be sure he'll get a contract at the next level.)
But maybe the most persuasive to me personally the last few days is that the 2024 draft is agreed to be a much weaker field at the moment, not just with top end talent but depth. Combine that with how much Edey has improved every season, you can talk me into him doing a lot to help his cause in the NBA in this season and jumping more towards the top of the second round.
Especially since all indications are Edey doesn't just want drafted or make a team, he wants a role and to play this season.
The VISA news is old news at this point, but when Purdue gets that cleared away, the money to come back, the time to improve, and a tweaked offense and defense that showcases Edey's versatility and athleticism could help both Edey in the eye's of NBA scouts, but also Purdue in March when they've become a little too predictable, and there's plenty of good reasons to come back to Purdue for Edey.
The pessimistic view:
Will a 7-4 post presence be able to actually raise his stock higher than this? He played a nearly flawless college season, surprised at the Combine, and won't have to take classes in the NBA and pretend that basketball isn't his thing. If Edey can get this good and this much better while doing college, what's the ceiling when he gets on an NBA team with NBA resources and coaches? Will that be too alluring to say no to? It just takes one team really that expresses their desire to use Edey's unique size and molding him to the NBA system. Is that dream worth jumping for? It'd be hard for me to say no to that.
Anyways, we're all in the same spot. Waiting. Don't have an idea on when it will be announced, but my guess is early evening. Try to enjoy the Zach Edey day and here's to a strong refresh button. We'll update as soon as we know more.
But today is the decision day. Will Edey leave Purdue early, taking a chance in the NBA and living every college basketball player's dream, or will he return as the reigning, undisputed National Player of the Year with a team that would vault into the top-5 with the news?
Here's the optimist view for Edey returning to Purdue:
Edey is still a big and bigs just don't look or play like him in the NBA anymore. Brook Lopez is a comparison he made this week and would be the best case scenario, for sure, for Edey in the NBA, but Edey still has a long way in making that kind of impact on defense, stretching the floor, and passing.
Edey only worked out for two teams. This suggests that a lot of teams aren't willing or wanting to be tempted by a big they don't see as NBA viable. (There's always the caveat that a gm or two is old on him enough that they didn't need or want to see him or have him testing for other teams, but that kind of play works more with players that are certain to go in the first round than someone who can't be sure he'll get a contract at the next level.)
But maybe the most persuasive to me personally the last few days is that the 2024 draft is agreed to be a much weaker field at the moment, not just with top end talent but depth. Combine that with how much Edey has improved every season, you can talk me into him doing a lot to help his cause in the NBA in this season and jumping more towards the top of the second round.
Especially since all indications are Edey doesn't just want drafted or make a team, he wants a role and to play this season.
The VISA news is old news at this point, but when Purdue gets that cleared away, the money to come back, the time to improve, and a tweaked offense and defense that showcases Edey's versatility and athleticism could help both Edey in the eye's of NBA scouts, but also Purdue in March when they've become a little too predictable, and there's plenty of good reasons to come back to Purdue for Edey.
The pessimistic view:
Will a 7-4 post presence be able to actually raise his stock higher than this? He played a nearly flawless college season, surprised at the Combine, and won't have to take classes in the NBA and pretend that basketball isn't his thing. If Edey can get this good and this much better while doing college, what's the ceiling when he gets on an NBA team with NBA resources and coaches? Will that be too alluring to say no to? It just takes one team really that expresses their desire to use Edey's unique size and molding him to the NBA system. Is that dream worth jumping for? It'd be hard for me to say no to that.
Anyways, we're all in the same spot. Waiting. Don't have an idea on when it will be announced, but my guess is early evening. Try to enjoy the Zach Edey day and here's to a strong refresh button. We'll update as soon as we know more.
