The Orlando Magic closed out the 2024–25 regular season at 41–41, securing the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference after defeating the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament. Their first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics slipped away — Orlando dropped four of five games — underscoring the need for a reliable scorer to complement a defense that ranked second overall in defensive rating during the regular season.
On Sunday, Orlando acquired 26-year-old sharpshooter Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies. In return, the Magic sent veteran wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, (the No. 16 overall in 2025, plus selections in 2026 via the Phoenix Suns, 2028 and 2030) and a 2029 first-round pick swap to Memphis.
Desmond Bane (22) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) in the first half at Frost Bank Center.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0).
© Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Stephen A. Smith voiced his opinion on the massive deal live on “First Take."
“If you’re making a deal like that, you’re saying ‘this move puts us in championship contention,’ and I don’t know if it does that,” Smith said.
Smith doubled down on his skepticism with a follow-up quote.
“You know this is not Kevin Durant, this is not LeBron, this is not Stephen Curry," he said. "To give up four first-round picks, unprotected, is a concern for me.”
He argued that while Bane is a proven talent, he hasn’t yet reached the transcendent tier occupied by NBA superstars, making the trade’s net positive outlook far less certain.
Bane has never sparked a single playoff series run beyond the first round, and he’ll enter a backcourt with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who also need high-volume shot creation.
In 69 games last season, Bane averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 48.4 percent from the field, 39.2 percent from three and 89.4 percent from the free-throw line.