NBA Draft 2024: 4 best team options for former Purdue star center Zach Edey

2. Toronto Raptors (Pick No. 19)

With Edey being a Canadian, going to Toronto would be a homecoming of sorts for him. The franchise is now going into complete rebuilding mode, having traded stars OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakim. Their No. 8 pick is with San Antonio so they’ll look to use this other first-rounder to find a core piece of the future, regardless of position.

There’s a chance that Edey could be an upgrade over current starting center Jacob Poeltl and the Raptors will need a new big man anyway if they’re to get back into the mix of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Unless there’s a “can’t miss” prospect at this point in the draft that they really love, landing Edey would if nothing else, make them a team worth watching next season to see how it works out.

1. Boston Celtics (Pick No. 30)

Coming off winning a national championship, Boston can go with any number of options to end the first round. A case can be made that Edey could be the highest ceiling pick of whoever is left, while also being low-risk. The center position is currently occupied by the often-injured Kristaps Porzingis, as well as the effective, yet older Al Horford. 

Even Luke Kornet, who has gotten into the rotation as a backup big man, could be a candidate to go elsewhere via free agency. Boston’s elite defense and three-point shooting would be the perfect surrounding support with Edey and he’d be able to thrive in an eastern conference that doesn’t have many stretch centers that could exploit him on the other end. There would be little to lose for the Celtics if this doesn’t work out but if Edey actually is a legit NBA player, this would only help extend the championship window for the franchise.