Lakers Rumors: Zach Edey Set for Visit; NBA Draft Projection in ‘Nos. 9-19 Range’

As the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be narrowing down their search for a new head coach, they are also looking ahead to the 2024 NBA draft and may be keeping an eye on Purdue star Zach Edey.

Per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Edey is set to visit with the Lakers and his draft projection appears to be in the “Nos. 9-19 range” based on the team workouts he has either already taken part in or has scheduled leading up to the event.

Givony specifically cited the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 9, Utah Jazz at No. 10, Chicago Bulls at No. 11, Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 12, Portland Trail Blazers at No. 14 and Miami Heat at No. 15 as teams where Edey is “in the conversation” to be drafted.

It’s not a surprise that Edey has a fairly wide range of landing spots because there doesn’t seem to be a consensus around any player in this draft class.

B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman projected Edey to be on the low end of his draft range at No. 19 to the Toronto Raptors in his latest mock.

Coming out of the scouting combine last month, Givony listed Edey as a standout during his workout because he showed “significant improvement” with his conditioning and mobility that carried over from his senior season at Purdue.

Givony also noted that “there are plenty of executives” who view Edey as a potential lottery pick, with some even having him as a top-10 player in the class.

The Lakers’ potential interest in Edey makes perfect sense because they need a backup center behind Anthony Davis going into next season. Jaxson Hayes could return since he has a $2.5 million player option that must be decided on by June 29.

Hayes didn’t make much of an impact in his first season with the Lakers. He averaged a career-low 4.3 points per game in 70 appearances.

Edey has a limited skill set, but he’s always been able to score when he is close to the basket. The 22-year-old increased his scoring average throughout his four-year college tenure. He averaged a career-high 25.2 points per game in 2023-24 and was the unanimous National Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

The Lakers own the 17th pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft.