Why The Desmond Bane Trade Makes Sense For Both The Grizzlies & Magic

Forbes

8 hours ago

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 03: Desmond Bane #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against ... More Jalen Suggs #4 of the Orlando Magic during a preseason game at FedExForum on October 03, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)
On Sunday, the basketball world gave us the ultimate Father's Day gift, as the Memphis Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first round picks, and one pick swap.
Anytime a deal like this takes place, the urge to crown a winner and loser is intense. However, this could be one of those instances where both parties come out on top.
Ever since he was selected by the Grizzlies with the very last pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Bane has been an integral part of this iteration of the team – representing the rags to riches tale that this franchise has become synonymous with since the Grit and Grind Era.
It will undoubtedly be sad to see him go, but given Jaren Jackson Jr.'s impending contract extension, it would have been difficult for Memphis to keep him, Bane, and Ja Morant together and still field a truly competitive roster with the financial restrictions placed by the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
By moving him here, Memphis was able to get ahead of this situation while also addressing a glaring need. This version of the Grizzlies has always lacked a true two-way wing/forward that can shadow primary offensive options while also providing credible spacing and closeout attacking.
Last year was a down year for Caldwell-Pope, but he still placed in the 83rd percentile in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus (per Dunks & Threes) and posted a 61% true shooting after the calendar turned to 2025. He may no longer be an elite three-and-D wing, but he is still a damn good one.
Cole Anthony will help make up for some of the on-ball creation hit the Grizzlies are taking by losing Bane. Plus, he gives them a spot starter if Memphis can't manage to avoid the injury bug again next season.
The Grizzlies also got a Mikal Bridges-level haul of first round picks. Some have suspected that they may use some of these firsts to sweeten the pot in a trade for Kevin Durant. However, not only did the team lose their best matching salary by trading away Bane, but they would also be better off using the picks to acquire another high-level role player or two (remember, the three-star model is now outdated). Regardless of what route they choose to go, they now have the firepower to execute whichever plan of action they see fit.
With Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard likely out for next season and the Cleveland Cavaliers exploring the potential of splitting up their core, the Eastern Conference could be wide open for the taking.
The Magic have always had a defense worthy of a contender – finishing second in defensive rating in each of the last two seasons. But they've lacked the requisite shooting and on-ball creation to make it out of the bottom ten in offensive rating in that span.
Bane has ranked in the 91st percentile or higher in OFF EPM in each of his last four seasons, and it's because of his ability to space the floor (career 41% 3-point shooter) and create his own offense (87th percentile in unassisted field goal rate).
And since he isn't overly ball-dominant (he successfully played next to Morant for a half-decade), Bane will have no issue flanking the Magic's pair of budding stars, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, when the tandem needs to get their touches. Bane is also a solid team defender (the Grizzlies had a top 10 defense in four of his five years there). So, he won't harm Orlando's strong defensive foundation.
We can quibble about all the picks the Magic had to part ways with in the process, but this also enabled them to keep all of their in-house young guys (Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, Tristan Da Silva, Jonathan Issac, and Jett Howard).
Over the last couple of years, the Grizzlies and Magic have built reputations as being relatively smart organizations, and this win-win trade between the two teams is the most recent example.