The Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies made the first blockbuster trade of the NBA offseason, with standout guard Desmond Bane headed to Orlando for a package involving four first-round picks. It’s the first domino to fall in a highly-anticipated summer of trades and it could have major ramifications moving forward for both the Western and Eastern Conference both in the weeks to come and next season.
Orlando Magic receive: Desmond Bane
Memphis Grizzlies receive: Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 16th overall pick, 2026 swap rights with WAS/PHX/ORL, ’28 1st (unprotected, ’30 1st (unprotected), ’29 swap rights (top 2 protected)
Let’s dive into the winners and losers from the blockbuster trade between the Magic and Grizzlies.
Winner: Orlando Magic strengthens status in Eastern Conference
Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, Desmond Bane
Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Did the Orlando Magic overpay for Desmond Bane? Probably. However, they addressed a glaring need in the lineup. During the 2024-’25 NBA season, Orlando ranked last in three-pointers made per game (11.2) and had the worst three-point shooting rate (31.8 percent) in the NBA. Bane immediately helps shore up Orlando’s perimeter shooting. Over the last two seasons, he averaged 2.7 three-pointers made per game and shot 38.7 percent from beyond the arc. He’s also coming off a campaign with a 0.142 Win Shares per 48 Minutes, the same mark as Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry last season. Bane’s reputation as a reliable outside shooter who can defend makes him the ideal shooting guard for Orlando. This is a great addition for the Magic.
Related: Orlando Magic named ‘team to watch’ for top role player in NBA free agency
Loser: Ja Morant’s future in Memphis
Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies
Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
ESPN‘s Brian Windhorst is doing it again. Breaking down the trade on SportsCenter, the NBA insider openly questioned if the Bane trade could signal that the Memphis Grizzlies are at the very least retooling. Teams around the league are even calling this a “rebuild trade” by Memphis. If that’s the case, Ja Morant could be a goner. He’s only 25 years old and he played really well after the All-Star Break (27.6 PPG and 7.0 APG), but the injuries and off-court drama are always lingering concerns.
Related: Ja Morant trade rumors emerge after Desmond Bane trade by Grizzlies
NBA teams in smaller markets rarely want to move on from face-of-the-franchise talent, especially just entering their prime years. If the Grizzlies are willing to hit the reset button, it might say a lot about what the organization thinks of Morant as a long-term piece. If he’s eventually shopped, that might even lead to some teams having a few more concerns about the All-Star point guard.
Winner: Memphis Grizzlies kickstart potential rebuild
Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Desmond Bane
Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
We’re inclined to believe Sunday’s blockbuster trade is a sign the Grizzlies’ front office is ready to rebuild this roster. If that proves to be true, both Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. could be on their way out of Memphis this summer. It obviously would open up minutes for the likes of Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells next season, two potential long-term core pieces. More importantly, Memphis acquired the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and swap rights in 2026 with either the Phoenix Suns or Washington Wizards. On top of that, Memphis now possesses Orlando’s first-round picks (unprotected) in 2028 and 2030. With the Western Conference seemingly set to be controlled by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs for years to come, this is a nice pivot for Memphis.
Related: 2025 NBA Draft order, picks by team
Loser: Cleveland Cavaliers’ standing in the East
Orlando Magic, Desmond Bane, Memphis Grizzlies
Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers recorded the best record in the Eastern Conference, only to lose in the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the second consecutive year. Hopes of a big move this summer took a huge hit with the Darius Garland injury. Now, Orlando plugged its hole at shooting guard with one of the best options it could realistically land. With the Indiana Pacers’ core locked in for next season and the New York Knicks eyeing blockbuster trades, the Cavaliers’ positioning in the East is quickly slipping and it has little recourse.
NFL, MLB & college football writer for Sportsnaut. Graduated from San Diego State University with BA in Journalism, 2019. ... More about Matt Johnson