The NBA Finals are still underway but that didn’t stop the Magic from making the first big splash of the summer. On Sunday afternoon, news broke that the Memphis Grizzlies had traded away 26-year-old shooting guard Desmond Bane, acquiring both Kentavius Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony in addition to FOUR unprotected first-round picks.
Aside from the small ransom it cost to acquire Bane, does this now make Orlando a top-four team in the Eastern Conference and does it put them into direct contention next year? Let’s break down the trade; I’ll give you my insights on how I think this affects both teams, they’re outlook for next season, and whether or not I think more moves are on the horizon.
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Full Desmond Bane Trade Breakdown
Grizzlies Receive:
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Cole Anthony
- #16 Pick, 2025 NBA Draft
- 1st Round Pick, 2026 NBA Draft (via Phoenix)
- 1st Round Pick, 2028 NBA Draft
- 1st Round Pick, 2030 NBA Draft
- 1st Round Pick-Swap, 2029 NBA Draft (top-2 protected)
Magic Receive:
- Desmond Bane
Memphis Making Moves?
The Grizzlies came out of nowhere with this Desmond Bane deal. I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted this would be the first big move of the 2025 offseason, but Magic fans couldn’t be happier. The question is now, is Memphis done making moves?
Since the trade happened, we’ve seen countless reports of Ja Morant and possibly even Jaren Jackson Jr. being made available by the Grizzlies. Our own Daniel Collins spoke about Memphis possibly capitalizing on Ja’s value being at its peak right now.
One thing’s clear, this isn’t going to be Memphis’ last move. I’ve got the feeling either this is a team looking for a superstar to put next to Morant, or a team looking to off-load their young core and look toward the future.
Ja Morant’s Next Team, Odds via BetOnline
- Miami Heat (+300)
- Brooklyn Nets (+400)
- Sacremento Kings (+500)
- Houston Rockets (+600)
Jaren Jackson’s Next Team, Odds via BetOnline
- Los Angeles Lakers (+325)
- Detroit Pistons (+400)
- Philadelphia 76ers (+450)
- Golden State Warriors (+700)
Welcome to Orlando, Desmond Bane
Magic fans everywhere couldn’t be happier. The price tag may have been high, but Orlando went out and got their guy. This past season, Orlando was the worst three-point shooting team in the entire league. The Magic averaged just 11.2 made threes per game and shot 31.8% from beyond the arc. Orlando shot 35% on open catch and shoot threes this year, ranking last among all 30-teams. Desmond Bane shot 51% on open catch and shoot 3s.
Bane averaged 19.2 ppg. this year, shooting 48% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. He was the Grizzlies’ most dependable scorer at times and it was just a year ago he averaged nearly 24 ppg. Bane’s ability to score has been well documented, but this season we saw his playmaking ability take massive strides.
The fifth-year guard averaged 5.3 apg. and a career-high 6.1 rpg. this past season, proving his worth on both ends of the floor. Orlando may have given up a lot in this trade, but they added some much needed three-point shooting and didn’t give up anything on the defensive side of the ball.
How this plays out remains to be seen, but with the Eastern Conference being wide open next year, oddsmakers are telling us Orlando can’t be counted out.
Orlando Magic to Win the NBA Finals Odds (+2500 via BetOnline)
Orlando’s odds to win it all next year were bound to change after the trade, but this much movement isn’t something I could’ve predicted. We’ve seen the Magic move from +3700 to +1600 on some books and from +4000 to +2500 on others. The value still varies across many different books, once again highlighting the need to line shop.
Our friends over at BetOnline have the best available odds and with the East as wide open as it is, this might be the year Orlando makes it out of the first round. Since the arrival of Paolo Banchero, the Magic have made the playoffs in two of his three seasons, being eliminated in the first round in back-to-back years now.
Orlando’s run into the Celtics and Cavaliers in back-to-back years, but with Bane now on this roster, a top-four seed isn’t out of the question. Orlando’s defense last year was on par with that of the Oklahoma City Thunder, holding opponents to just 105.5 ppg. It was their offense that continually held them back, especially when Banchero or Wagner would go to the bench.
Bane adds depth, shooting, defense, playmaking, and most of all, another guy who can just get buckets. I’m in on this Magic team and in 2026, the fans down in Orlando should be nothing but excited.
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