The Orlando Magic sent shock waves through the NBA after making a stunning trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for guard Desmond Bane.
But it came at a cost.
In return for Bane, the Magic are sending Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks (16th pick in 2025; unprotected 2026, 2028 and 2030 and a 2029 first-round pick swap.
This is a great pickup for The Orlando Magic despite the many assets that they gave up.
This past year, Bane averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game. He’s one of the best perimeter scores in the game, shooting 41% from three-point land in his career.
Acquiring Bane will be beneficial for the Magic, as they need backcourt and shooting help. He now joins Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, and Wendell Carter in Orlando.
Even though Orlando now has a team that can compete in the Eastern Conference for a championship, it comes at a steep cost for the future.
For the Grizzlies, it signals sort of reset or rebuild mode for the organization as they traded away one of their three best players.
This also raises questions for the Grizzlies as rumors have been circulating that they may part ways with either Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
This blockbuster trade has set the tone for the upcoming offseason and will drastically impact the NBA next season as the Magic may be one of the most formidable teams in the association.
