"Why waste a draft pick?" - College hoops fans criticize analyst's 'perfect fit' take on Zach Edey to Western Conference NBA team

The race for Zach Edey has begun in full swing. While his draft stock remains in question, multiple teams have shown interest in the four-year superstar out of Purdue.

The back-to-back reigning National Player of the Year led the Boilermakers to an NCAA Finals appearance and now teams like the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies have an eye out for the 7-foot-4 center.

However, NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor believes a different Western Conference contender should enter the Edey sweepstakes. After getting beaten in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks in a six-game series, Kevin believes the Oklahoma City Thunder could have major use for someone of the Canadian's size and skill set.

"The Thunder should draft Zach Edey. Addresses their need for size. Adds a totally different interior ingredient to their offense. And if there’s anyone who can turn his touch into reliable 3-point shooting it’s Chip Engelland. Edey in OKC is a perfect fit."

Fans had a field day with his take, with the top comment stating that OKC's General Manager Sam Presti, notorious for making unorthodox decisions in the draft, which led to the Thunder hauling twenty 1st-round picks in the 2020s, could make the magic happen.

But some weren't on board with the hype train for the Purdue superstar.

"Boban is better than Edey. Why waste a draft pick?", one fan argued.

For other OKC fans, too, the notion was similar as they believed either the fit wouldn't be ideal or Donovan Clingan from the UConn Huskies would serve as a better option.

"Horrendous fit lmao what???" one fan was in disbelief.

"i would trade the war chest for clingan that's who they need", another fan theorized.

Some even had other current players in mind who could aid the team immediately instead of Edey, who "ain't ready."

"Trade for Jarrett Allen, way better quickly...Edey ain't ready", the fan claimed.

Others believed that Zach, who averaged over two blocks a game in each of his last two years with the Boilermakers, wasn't an adept defender, thereby hindering OKC's top-3 ranked defense this season.

"He can't play defense," one fan claimed.

With the tallest player in Big Ten history already showing interest in the Memphis Grizzlies, fans caught on as well, prophesizing his pickup by Grizzlies.

"He's getting drafted by Memphis at 9, didn't get the right first round picks" one fan noted.

"Sorry Kev, Edey is going to Memphis" were popular comments against O'Connor's assessment.

Another analyst questions Zach Edey's chances at stardom

Dan Cassidy of Rivals.com gave a roadmap for what the draft could look like for Edey. With one-and-done players, those who stay at the collegiate level for a single year before moving on to the NBA, becoming the norm for top first-round picks, Zach Edey's four-year run at Purdue might hinder his draft standing further. Cassidy said:

"Do I think Edey will be an NBA star? Probably not unless he finds a time machine to take him back to 2022, but he's capable of outperforming expectations."

With the Draft Combine giving Zach a new experience, where do you see Edey going in the 2024 NBA Draft? Let us know in the comments below.