The Orlando Magic added an elite scorer on Sunday when they acquired Desmond Bane in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, but most fans felt that there was a very clear winner in the deal.
The Magic acquired Bane from the Grizzlies in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and a first-round pick swap.
Bane averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game across 69 contests this season. He is an elite three-point shooter who has averaged 41.0% from beyond the arc throughout his five year career. Orlando ranked last in the NBA in three-point percentage this season, which explains why they were so aggressive in their pursuit of an outside shooter.
Still, fans seem to agree that four first-round picks for Bane was way, way too steep.
HOW MANY FIRSTS?!
— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) June 15, 2025
HOW MANY FIRSTS FOR DESMOND BANE??
— khi (@stymead) June 15, 2025
Lmao what is Orlando doing
— Trevor Tatum🍀 (@TrevorTatum9) June 15, 2025
4 UNPROTECTED FIRST ROUND PICKS FOR WHO?????
— OG Anunoby Addict (@PlayoffBoundNYK) June 15, 2025
HOLY MOTHER OF OVERPAY
— MailManLocks (@MailManLockz) June 15, 2025
Some fans also noted that the Dallas Mavericks got less in return when they traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Memphis got more for Bane than the Mavs for Luka lmao
— Magic Jordan (@buymeawatch) June 15, 2025
Dallas got less than this for Luka….
— Zach Vobornik (@ZVobornik) June 15, 2025
Magic president Jeff Weltman said recently that the Magic are committed to making a run next season with their core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. The Bane trade definitely addresses a need for Orlando, but the overwhelming feeling is that the former TCU star is not worth what the Magic paid.
The Magic went 41-41 this season and earned the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. They beat the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament and then lost to the Boston Celtics in five games in the opening round of the playoffs.