Joe Mullinax here, the host of the daily Locked On Grizzlies podcast, with your daily Locked On Grizzlies newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Grizzlies and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Is Memphis maximizing Zach Edey?
Jan 13, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina/Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Memphis Grizzlies looked much more competitive against the Houston Rockets on Monday night compared to what they did last week against the same team. That’s a plus - win or lose, Memphis being able to hang with the best of the Western Conference on the road bodes well for their chances in the playoffs this Spring.
But there was something that stood out watching the game. And has become more of a trend than it should.
Before Edey missed a couple games in concussion protocol he was regularly logging 24 or more minutes a game. Since he returned he has seen the floor less by about five minutes a game. Not only that, his shot attempts have also gone down in part because of that playing time decline.
The two-time National Player of the Year was always going to have to get used to a new role in the NBA at large. Memphis of course would be no different. But for a player who was projected to be a starter who would log over 25 minutes a game by most, the reduction in role recently has been a surprise.
It also often includes his teammate Jaylen Wells - what a draft Memphis had! But that’s a topic for another newsletter.
Edey has earned the hype surrounding his Rookie of the Year potential. At the least Edey will be an All-Rookie team member. But despite that productivity, Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins has relied on him less of late.
Why? Perhaps it’s match-up dependent. That at least makes basketball sense. Jenkins being worried about what opponents can take advantage of with Edey defensively and not seeing the value of Edey’s offense when compared to that risk? There’s an argument there.
Kleiman and Jenkins have been essentially entirely in lockstep all through this Ja Morant era. But how Edey is utilized may well be the first space where the two sides disagree. Edey can shoot the three point shot better than he was expected to at Purdue, but he’s not supposed to be a 7'4" floor spacer.
That is a lot of what he did against Houston, though. Far out screens, with limited rolls to the rim, attempting to pull bigs away from the paint. That’s a far cry from low post dominance.
Defensively? There were moments where Edey’s length and physicality gave the Rockets real issues - Alperen Sengun did not handle the size of Edey well at times. But in fairness to Jenkins, Edey also fouled out in 24 minutes of play. He continues to adjust to the NBA.
Could the Memphis coaching staff help in that process more? A post set here, a screen and roll closer to the rim to start the set there wouldn’t hurt. And an All-Rookie campaign could be even better.
Jan 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. | John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Something I realized last night at the Warriors-Raptors game, perhaps more pressingly than the last time the team was in town a season ago — this thing isn’t going to last forever.
You wouldn’t get that impression from Steph Curry, who takes his pre-game warmup last and happily engages with the fans who show up an hour before tip-off to watch him. Curry’s off-court presence, compared to his superstar contemporaries, has always been demure and private, but watching him revel and work within that outsized adoration is a privilege in itself. No fan in attendance watching him take feathery lob after feathery lob, or take a volleyball spike to the basketball so he could meet it mid-air for a dunk, was thinking about the finite nature of Curry — performer or competitor.
Even if the underlying desire of proximity to greatness stems from the understanding that one day that greatness will no longer exist, that reality doesn’t translate in the moment. In the moment, there’s just Curry, laughing with his coaches, signing the backs of jerseys, going through footwork, prepping for the night’s game.
Where the impression of a dynasty in its final stages becomes more pronounced is through the words of Warriors coach, Steve Kerr. Asked about how difficult it is to maintain a dynasty, and Kerr reverted to Curry.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis The Memphis Grizzlies maintain a solid position in the midseason NBA power rankings, showcasing their consistent performance and strategic growth. (Beale Street Bears)
Analysis Following a game against the Rockets, Ja Morant made a blunt statement reflecting the team’s mindset and focus on improvement. (Sports Illustrated)
Prediction A 2025 NBA mock draft by Bleacher Report offers full 2-round predictions and pro comparisons, speculating on future stars. (Bleacher Report)
Trade Speculation on what every team, including the Grizzlies, would do if the 2025 NBA trade deadline were today, provides insights into potential moves and strategies. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis TheDetroit Pistons are emerging as a serious surprise story this season. (TSN)
Biz Explosive court documents show co-conspirators and other shocking details in Jontay Porter’s ongoing betting scandal. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Injury Update: Key Players Sidelined and Return Timelines For Fantasy Basketball
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) attempts a three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we approach the midpoint of the NBA season, injuries continue to play a significant role in shaping team dynamics and fantasy basketball strategies. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most impactful injuries across the league and their potential implications.
The Utah Jazz are once again at the forefront of injury-related drama. Lauri Markkanen’s back spasms and John Collins’ hip issue have raised eyebrows, with many speculating about potential load management strategies. Keyonte George’s heel soreness has kept him out for five consecutive games, while Jordan Clarkson’s plantar fascia injury could potentially end his season. The Jazz’s injury situation is one to monitor closely, as it could lead to increased opportunities for players like Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s knee injury has kept him out for four consecutive games. This absence highlights the risks associated with drafting Embiid in the first round of fantasy drafts. With a busy schedule ahead, including back-to-back sets, Embiid’s playing time could be limited even upon his return.
For more insights and a deeper dive into NBA injuries and their fantasy implications, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
• Portland Trail Blazers injury updates
• Phoenix Suns roster changes and injury concerns
• Orlando Magic’s lengthy injury report and fantasy implications
3peat (ICYMI)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Grizzlies podcasts.
Memphis Grizzlies get embarrassed by Knicks as key stretch of season begins The good news is that Jaren Jackson Jr., who was named Western Conference Player of the Week Monday, performed about as expected against the New York Knicks. The bad news is just about everyone else struggled as the Knicks dominated the Grizzlies in the second half Monday night in New York. Host Joe Mullinax breaks it all down, plus discusses why this part of the schedule will define the season for Memphis, on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
After a strong week, should Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard be safe from trade talks? Luke Kennard, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane shined during two Grizzlies wins over the weekend. In this episode, co-hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax recap the two wins, discuss Kennard’s status on the trade block and preview Monday’s game against the Knicks.
Do the Memphis Grizzlies have a “big” problem in Zach Edey? Zach Edey’s momentum has slowed down in recent weeks. The Memphis Grizzlies coaching staff has seemed to take notice as Edey’s minutes have dwindled. What should be done to deal with Zach Edey’s “rookie wall”? Hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax discuss that, plus trade rumors quieting and the basketball weekend ahead in Memphis, on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!
