Desmond Bane Gets Traded to the Magic

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xavier_Sneed_Desmond_Bane.jpg

In the first offseason trade of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Memphis Grizzlies have traded shooting guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. Shams Charania broke the news on June 15, outlined the details of the trade. Bane was ultimately traded for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four unprotected first-round picks, and a 2029 first-round pick swap. While the Magic are shifting to a win-now mode, the Grizzlies are potentially going into a rebuilding mode.

The Magic have long been rebuilding, prioritizing the development of its young stars and accumulating draft picks. However, now they are clearly pivoting into acquiring veterans to help them win. Bane fulfills what the Magic have missed, which is shooting the ball at a high efficiency. Bane brings elite three-point shooting, toughness, and veteran leadership. He will certainly help the Magic roster that includes players like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. With the Eastern Conference wide open, the Magic can seriously make a deep playoff run.

For the Grizzlies, they receive what many consider an overpay. With two solid role players in Anthony and Caldwell-Pope, the Grizzlies already can build a decent starting five. Added with the future draft picks, Memphis can easily reshape the roster around stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Bane, the main focus of the trade, has proven many wrong as the 30th pick in the 2020 NBA draft. He earned All-Rookie awards and signed a contract extension with the Grizzlies worth $207 million over the next 5 years. Shooting over 40% from three-point territory, Bane can reignite the slump of the season he had in 2024-2025.