Except for the two teams in the NBA Finals, all other teams have already started making moves to improve their roster for next season. While experts anticipate a roller coaster of trades and free agency moves this offseason, the Grizzlies have already begun their process of making changes by trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and an overhaul of draft assets.
Following the trade that sent four first-round picks and a pick swap to the Grizzlies, the NBA world was stunned that the Grizzlies decided to break up their core of Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Ja Morant. Morant went on social media and penned down an emotional message for Bane on his Instagram story.
"Same shii gang ð¤ð¾. Shii tough but we ð forever. ♾️ Go be great brudda @_dbane1."
Trading Bane away from Ja Morant probably felt to him like what Stephen Curry felt about the Warriors letting Klay Thompson go. Their achievements are nowhere close to Curry and Thompson, but their bond was surely just as brotherly.
However, since Bane is a professional, instead of just lamenting over the team he is leaving, he seems more excited about playing in the warm climate of Orlando, Florida. He also went on social media and posted a cryptic yet understandable message on X, accompanied by just two emojis.
Desmond Bane has played five seasons for the Grizzlies after being drafted in 2020. The Boston Celtics selected Bane with the 30th pick in the 2020 NBA draft. Since Kurt Thomas in 1995, he was the first player from TCU to be selected in the first round. In exchange for a future pick, Bane was later traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He has averaged 17.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 313 regular-season games played in his career so far.
What Desmond Bane Brings To The Orlando Magic
Desmond Bane is a reliable scorer who can give you 20-point performances with ease. He even has the potential to go nuclear and drop 35-45 points on any good night for him. Ever since his rookie season, Bane has consistently been a 40 %+ shooter from beyond the arc, which extends the Magic's offensive strategy beyond just Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. His career average is 41% from the three-point range, while Magic shot only 31.8% from deep this season. Thus, a major upgrade for the Grizzlies in terms of high-volume shooting from range.
Paolo Banchero is 22 years old, Franz Wagner is 23 years old, Jalen Suggs is 24 years old, and Desmond Bane is 26 years old. The four draft picks they traded didn’t have room in the Orlando Magic anyway, as this roster already has its young core. They are in win-now mode and have young talent already at every position. Thus, with the Eastern Conference seemingly weakened after Jayson Tatum's injury and Tom Thibodeau's firing, the Magic seems to have gone all in on their win-now mode with Banchero.
The Magic had a first-round exit in the Playoffs this season, after a loss against the Celtics in five games. They were one critical piece short of being true contenders from the East. Is Bane that piece for the Magic? Let us know what you think in the comments section.
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