Desmond Bane Traded to Magic in Multi-Asset NBA Deal

The Memphis Grizzlies traded sharpshooter Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four unprotected first-round picks, and a pick swap, signaling a roster reset centered around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. Bane, who averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists last season, joins a Magic team that finished 41–41 and seeks to improve its offense, which has ranked near the bottom of the league in points per possession. His arrival aims to address Orlando star Paolo Banchero's frustrations with the team's offensive struggles, potentially securing Banchero's commitment to the franchise amid concerns about the team's efficiency and spacing. Despite the optimism around Bane's fit with Orlando's young core, analyst Stephen A. Smith expressed skepticism about the Magic giving up multiple high-value draft picks for a player yet to prove himself as a transcendent superstar. The trade is viewed as franchise-altering for both teams, providing Memphis with valuable draft capital and flexibility while positioning Orlando as a more legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. However, questions remain about whether the Magic's gamble on Bane can translate into deeper playoff success.