The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to a trade deal for Desmond Bane that sees the star guard headed for the Orlando Magic. Bane has had an impressive career in Memphis that has seen the young player steadily improve his performances for a team that has been in rebuild mode. The Magic, on the other hand, seems to be getting the short end of the stick in this deal. Memphis is receiving considerably more capital for Desmond Bane. The deal has led to some eyebrows being raised in the inner circle of the NBA pundits.
Desmond Bane has been steadily improving his performances
Considering the fact that Desmond Bane has only played four seasons in the NBA, his steady improvements have been remarkable in a competitive league. Bane was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2020 Draft as the 30th overall pick. Memphis has been in a restructuring mode for a few years now, spearheaded by its star (and sometimes controversial) performer, Ja Morant.
Desmond Bane’s time in Memphis has come to an end
The recent trade by the Grizzlies is evidence that Memphis is focused on providing Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson with some new, young talent to build a strong foundation around. Bane has been a solid performer for a team trying its best to find its feet in the league. However, the deal being offered by the Magic proved too good to pass up; as a result, Bane’s time in Memphis has come to an end.
Desmond Bane could be an integral cog in the engine that is the Magic backcourt. Memphis gained a lot in the trade deal, but the pressure will be on Desmond Bane to perform at a higher level in Orlando. His role alongside Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner could prove to be critical for Orlando, which performed relatively well in the postseason this year.
What does each team receive in this latest trade in the NBA?
For the Magic, the deal seems to be twofold. They receive a potential role player in Desmond Bane, and they offload Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. KCP had his worst season since his draft this year and has a hefty price tag attached to his contract. So the deal was about strengthening Memphis’ squad, but also freeing up some room in their budget.
The Memphis Grizzlies are getting a lot out of this deal
Memphis will surely be sad to see a player of Bane’s caliber leave, but when we consider what they are getting back, the deal seems to be worth it. By allowing Bane to leave, Memphis is due to receive Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap. All that capital for one player. The deal also includes this year’s 16th pick in the draft.
The trades are due to come fast and hard this offseason. Shams Charania reported that several teams in the NBA are looking to make significant trades this offseason. As the season winds down, this is just the latest trade in a long list of potential changes in the NBA this offseason. Bane has the potential to make a difference in Orlando; he averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 69 games for Memphis this season.
Can Desmond Bane make a significant impact in Orlando?
The Magic will certainly be hoping so. Bane signed a five-year, $207 million max contract extension two seasons ago still has four years remaining in his deal. That is a lot of money that the Grizzlies are committing to Bane. To be fair, there have been many larger contracts in the NBA recently. The Magic are giving a lot away, but are freeing their roster up by offloading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Will KCP turn his fortunes around in Memphis? Will Desmond Bane elevate his game to a higher level in Orlando? Only time will tell.
