![](https://ftw.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/2024/03/USP-NCAA-Basketball_-NCAA-Tournament-Second-Round-1-4.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
It was just last year that Purdue center Zach Edey ultimately decided to stay with the Boilermakers instead of declare for the NBA Draft, given that he was projected as a late first-rounder or a second-rounder.
It paid off. He’s now projected as a lottery pick in some mock drafts. In our latest NBA mock draft from Bryan Kalbrosky, he’s not a first-rounder. But in the latest mock from The Ringer, Kevin O’Connor has him at No. 12 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, which would be an awesome pairing with fellow big man Chet Holmgren.
Here’s his take on the pick:
I am endlessly fascinated by the possibility of putting Edey next to a rim protector like Chet Holmgren. Edey could provide the beef inside, and Holmgren would provide versatility. The combination looks incredible on paper, and I’d imagine Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault would do cartwheels if he could add another layer to his dynamic system with a center as big as Edey.
There you have it! Don’t forget to check out our latest NBA Mock Draft from Kalbrosky!