Okay, here’s the lowdown on the big trade that sent Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Orlando Magic.
In a major move, the Memphis Grizzlies have traded guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. Coming back to Memphis is veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, guard Cole Anthony, and a massive haul of future draft picks.
Specifically, the Grizzlies are receiving the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Phoenix’s first-round pick in 2026, Orlando’s unprotected first-round selections in 2028 and 2030, and a lightly protected pick swap in 2029. That adds up to four unprotected first-rounders plus the swap.
So, who are the main players involved?
- Desmond Bane: The 26-year-old guard is the key piece heading to Orlando. This past season, he averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 69 games. Over his five-year career, all spent with Memphis, he’s averaged 17.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: The Grizzlies are getting this 32-year-old veteran guard. He averaged 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 77 games for the Magic this season. He also brings valuable championship experience, having won two titles.
- Cole Anthony: The other player coming back to Memphis is this 25-year-old guard. He averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 67 games this season.
Now, what does this trade mean for both teams?
For the Orlando Magic, this is a significant swing aimed at really boosting their roster and competing in the Eastern Conference. Bane slots right into their exciting young core alongside Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. His biggest impact will likely be his shooting – he’s a career 41% shooter from three, which is exactly what Orlando desperately needed after ranking dead last in the league this season at just 31.8% from deep.
As for the Memphis Grizzlies, they gain some backcourt depth but, perhaps more importantly, they acquire a huge collection of future draft assets. This gives them a ton of flexibility, whether they use these picks to add more young talent down the line or potentially package them up for other major moves in the future.