With the 2025 NBA Playoffs coming to a close, offseason drama has already begun with the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic reaching a deal surrounding talented shooting guard Desmond Bane. With Bane’s talent and Orlando’s haul of draft capital being on the move, this trade has major implications for the future of both teams’ competitive windows.
Magic Receive: Desmond Bane
Grizzlies Receive: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, 2025 Round 1 (#16) – Magic, 2026 Round 1 – Via Suns, 2028 Round 1 – Magic, 2029 Round 1 (Swap) – Magic, 2030 Round 1 – Magic
Following first round exits for both Memphis and Orlando, significant changes were expected for the cores of each team. For back-to-back seasons, the Magic have lacked significant production from beyond the arc, and the offensive end as a whole. Outside of the talented tandem of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, Orlando’s supporting cast has struggled to consistently create and knock down shots when given the opportunity.
Bane immediately becomes Orlando’s best shooter and arguably playmaker outside of Banchero. While the Magic were projected to be in the market for a true point guard, Bane’s ability to play with and without the basketball should take significant pressure off of Orlando’s ball handlers and provide much-needed spacing. As a career 41% three-point shooter, Bane is extremely efficient both off the catch (51% on open catch-and-shoot attempts) and off dribble-handoffs and ball screens. This offensive versatility will add another fold to a struggling Magic offense.
Defensively, Bane is a formidable defender despite his below-average length, using his strength to keep ball-handlers in front of him—Bane projects to be a seamless fit on both ends of the floor for the Magic.
Memphis’ first round loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder capped off another disappointing season, following high expectations coming into it. Despite being a top-four seed for a majority of the season, the Grizzlies quickly plummeted down to the play-in tournament, resulting in the firing of 6-year Head Coach Taylor Jenkins. With Ja Morant’s return to action after significant missed time the previous year, Memphis was projected to be in the hunt for a playoff series win. Despite consistent production from Bane through multiple seasons, change was inevitable for this Grizzlies core.
Ultimately, Orlando’s offer for Bane was too difficult to pass on, acquiring four unprotected first-round picks and a 2029 swap. While Memphis may not improve in the moment, having multiple tradeable draft picks positions the Grizzlies to take a swing on expensive players down the line. Despite trade speculations regarding other valuable assets on the Grizzlies, Memphis will likely stay competitive and retool its roster when given the chance.
Orlando made a necessary roster improvement with the Bane-acquisition, despite potentially overpaying for the 26 year-old guard. By bolstering their outside shooting, the Magic put themselves in a position to contend in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Despite this, there are legitimate questions about the long-term impacts of this move.
In 2023, Bane signed a 5-year 207 million contract extension with Memphis, paying him just short of 40 million AAV. With Wagner already signing his rookie max contract and Banchero slated to do the same this summer, this Magic roster becomes extremely expensive in the coming years, potentially heading for the second apron. If Orlando’s ownership is willing to make that commitment, these contracts could work out for the Magic, but second-apron restrictions and penalties are significant. Drafting well with the picks they still own will be important as ever to maximize their competitive window.
For Memphis, this deal was too good to pass up. As important as Bane was, standing pat would’ve been a mistake. The flexibility created by moving Bane and his contract will benefit the Grizzlies down the line, especially if they cash in on their assets.
Magic: B
It’s difficult to fault Orlando for their aggressiveness with the Bane acquisition. 2026 will be a major opportunity to compete in the Eastern Conference with Jayson Tatum’s season-ending achilles tear, and Bane gives Orlando a legitimate shot to win the conference, raising their ceiling over the next few years. While Bane certainly makes the Magic a better team, his contract raises significant concerns from a roster-building standpoint long-term, and will be something Orlando’s front office will have to manage.
Grizzlies: A
Memphis did a masterful job maximizing Bane’s value, something NBA teams should probably be doing more of. Acquiring five total first-round picks is a superstar-level return, and the Grizzlies have the assets to move Caldwell-Pope and/or Anthony’s contract(s) if they choose to do so. This massive haul gives Memphis long-term financial/trade flexibility, allowing them to improve their roster when the time is right.
Ultimately, this trade could play out as a win-win scenario for both teams, as Orlando makes a competitive move and Memphis retools its struggling roster. While the Grizzlies may be better-equipped long term, there’s significant value in winning now for the Magic.
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