The Memphis Grizzlies have swung a massive trade which will see them move on from their star guard Desmond Bane.
Bane is now off to the Orlando Magic, with the Magic sending back a stunning package of players and draft picks.
In exchange for Bane, the Grizzlies will get a return of guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, a first-round pick swap, and a mind-boggling four unprotected first round picks.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the picks the Grizzlies received are the 16th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns’ first-round pick in 2026, and unprotected first-round picks from Orlando from 2028 and 2030. Additionally, that the pick swap is ‘lightly protected’ in 2029.
Per Charania, Magic team president Jeff Weltman has been angling for the franchise to take ‘an aggressive, win-now approach to the offseason’.
Last season, Bane was top-50 in the league in points (37th with 19.2/game), rebounds (47th with 6.1/game), and assists (32nd with 5.3/game). He was also 43rd in field goal percentage at 48.4 percent.
The Memphis Grizzlies sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for a massive package including two players, a pick swap, and a stunning four first-round picks
The Grizzlies are getting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (L) and Cole Anthony (R) in their return
The Magic hope Bane can bring his consistent scoring to an Orlando team that struggled
By adding Bane, the Magic will hope to bulk up their shooting and scoring numbers after struggling in both categories last season.
Orlando scored the third-fewest points of any team in the NBA last season and had the fourth-worst shooting percentage in the league.
Despite both these struggles, the Magic managed to go .500 on the season and made the playoffs as the seven-seed in the Eastern Conference.
After defeating the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in, the Magic then lost in five games to the Boston Celtics.
Bane was taken with the 30th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, but was immediately traded to the Grizzlies as part of a three-team trade.
He made the All-Rookie Second Team in his first season in the league. Since becoming a full-time starter in his second season, Bane has averaged at least 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists in each campaign.
