The Memphis Grizzlies shocked the basketball world with a blockbuster trade that has everyone questioning their future direction.
The deal sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in exchange for a massive haul that included Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, the No. 16 overall pick, three additional first-round selections, and a future pick swap.
While Orlando clearly strengthened their Eastern Conference playoff push, Memphis appears to be taking a step backward.
The move has created widespread speculation about whether the Grizzlies are preparing for a full rebuild.
“After trading Desmond Bane to the Magic for four first-round picks, league executives are now monitoring the Grizzlies as a potential rebuilding situation. Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are both eligible to sign new long-term extensions, so the answers on them are coming soon,” Forbes writer Evan Sidery reported.
After trading Desmond Bane to the Magic for four first-round picks, league executives are now monitoring the Grizzlies as a potential rebuilding situation.
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are both eligible to sign new long-term extensions, so the answers on them are coming soon. pic.twitter.com/mipar9rjcA
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 15, 2025
The trade raises serious questions about the franchise’s commitment to its current core.
If Bane commanded such a substantial return, could Ja Morant or Jaren Jackson Jr. be next on the trading block?
Both players face contract extension decisions that will determine Memphis’s path forward.
The Grizzlies finished last season with a respectable 48-34 record, earning the eighth seed in the competitive Western Conference.
They fought through the Play-In Tournament to secure their playoff spot but were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
Memphis now sits at a critical crossroads.
Trading Bane might have been too good an offer to refuse, but it doesn’t necessarily signal the end for Morant or Jackson.
The franchise could be positioning itself for future flexibility while maintaining its core talent.
With the NBA Draft scheduled for June 25 and free agency beginning June 30, the Grizzlies’ true intentions should become apparent soon.
Significant roster adjustments appear inevitable if Memphis hopes to return to legitimate contender status.
NEXT: Brian Windhorst Reveals Biggest Question About Grizzlies This Offseason