Done for the season! Chinese-descent center out for the year! His final battle was against Yang Hansen.

The Grizzlies officially announced:Zach Eddy underwent surgery for a left ankle injury and a talus stress reaction, ending his season.

Born on May 14, 2002, this 7'3" (2.21m) center with a 7'11" (2.41m) wingspan is of Chinese descent (one-quarter Chinese, with his maternal grandfather from Guangzhou, Guangdong). The 9th overall pick in the 2024 draft, he averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.9 blocks in 25.8 minutes per game this season, shooting 63.3% from the field.

It's worth noting that Eddy's last game of the season was against the Trail Blazers, where he posted 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists, while his direct matchup, Yang Hansen, recorded 4 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Huh? Was the matchup with Yang Hansen that draining? *wink*

"Hey man, keep it to basketball, hands off."

With Eddy out for the season, Jaren Jackson Jr. sent to the Jazz, and Ja Morant untradeable... the Grizzlies can now fully commit to tanking. Currently 11th in the West with a 23-37 record, they trail the 10th-place Trail Blazers by 5 games and are essentially out of play-in contention.

By the way, Ja Morant has missed 18 consecutive games due to a left elbow UCL sprain. He has only played 20 games this season, averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.0 steal in 28.5 minutes per game, shooting 41% from the field, 23.5% from three, and 89.7% from the line.

Previous reports indicate Morant's trade value is negative. His current contract runs through the summer of 2028. He is earning $39.45 million this season, with a combined $87.06 million due over the final two years. The Grizzlies will likely try to trade him again this summer, potentially needing to attach draft picks to facilitate a deal.

Regardless, the Grizzlies are poised to start a new era. Their interior cornerstone will remain the 23-year-old Eddy, while their backcourt leader could become the 22-year-old Coward (the 11th overall pick in the 2025 draft), who is averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists this season on 46.8/34.3/84.9 shooting splits.