The Memphis Grizzlies front office had a lot to prove this past offseason. An injury-riddled 2023-24 diminished any preseason expectations, and raised questions as to what the Grizzlies were going to do to bolster their depth heading into a new year.

Memphis and Washington each place two players in the Top 5 as the Kia Rookie of the Year chase for 2024-25 begins.

First-year players Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells have been two of the NBA's most impressive rookies so far this season.

He started his NBA career a bit slowly over the first week, struggling with foul trouble and his positioning overall. However, he’s been extremely valuable since then. Since Oct. 30, Edey is averaging 13.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and over an assist, steal and block per game.

Learn about the top rookies in the NBA currently and how they're making their marks on the rookie ladder early this season.

The 2024 NBA rookie class started slow in the early part of the season, but two Memphis Grizzlies rookies, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, have been the exception. Edey and Wells are already making waves, ranking first and third on the NBA Kia Rookie Ladder.

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey was impactful against the Los Angeles Lakers, but there's still a lot of room for growth.

The Los Angeles Lakers have now gotten two looks at the Memphis Grizzlies in their first 11 games, splitting the matchups evenly. Anthony Davis sat out the first game, however, so Wednesday night marked the first time he got a look at one of the most polarizing draft picks from the 2024 NBA Draft in big man Zach Edey.