Grizzlies GM admits Desmond Bane trade is ‘great' for Magic
The post Grizzlies GM admits Desmond Bane trade is 'great' for Magic appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The Memphis Grizzlies kicked off their 2025 offseason with a seismic trade, sending star guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and multiple draft picks. The move, though controversial among Grizzlies fans, was acknowledged by general manager Zach Kleiman as a significant gain for Orlando.
Advertisement
'I think it's a great trade for Orlando. I hope it will be a win-win over time,' Kleiman said during his first public comments following the trade, via Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian.
He cited financial constraints under the new CBA's first and second apron restrictions as a major factor in moving Bane. With Jaren Jackson Jr. due for a contract extension, retaining both Jackson and Bane would have likely pushed the Grizzlies into an unsustainable cap situation, with three players potentially earning over $40 million annually.
Bane's departure left a notable void on the roster, and Memphis acted swiftly to address it. Initially holding the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies traded up to No. 11 in a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. In exchange for the higher pick, Memphis sent Portland the rights to Yang Hansen (No. 16), a future first-rounder, and two future second-round picks.
With the 11th pick, the Grizzlies selected Cedric Coward, a 6-foot-5 wing from Washington State. Despite a limited sample size, just six games due to injury, Coward posted impressive averages of 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. He also shot 55.7% from the field, 40.0% from 3, and 83.9% from the free-throw line. Prior to transferring, Coward was named to the 2023–24 All-Big Sky First Team and NABC All-District 6 First Team at Eastern Washington.
Advertisement
Coward is viewed as a high-upside replacement for Desmond Bane, especially given his three-point shooting ability and defensive potential. He possesses a 7-foot-2 wingspan and demonstrated the athleticism to guard multiple positions.
With Coward joining promising rookie Jaylen Wells on the wing, the Grizzlies are leaning into a younger core to support Morant and Jackson Jr. Memphis still holds the 48th and 56th picks in the second round of the draft, leaving the door open for further roster changes.
Related: Malika Andrews makes 'Colin Cowherd' gaffe for Cedric Coward pick
Related: Grizzlies land rising star Cedric Coward in No. 11 pick trade with Blazers
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pep Guardiola reveals Kyle Walker reunion as Joao Cancelo's Manchester City reunion looms
Manchester City have been reunited with Kyle Walker in the United States this week, according to manager Pep Guardiola. The England international is fresh off the back of a short-term loan deal in Italian football with AC Milan, having left the Etihad Stadium during the January transfer window in search of a fresh challenge during a difficult campaign. Advertisement Walker's exit left a sour taste in the mouths of many Manchester City supporters, with some feeling as though their club had been betrayed by it's most senior player and official club captain at the lowest point in the season. However, despite the feeling that City's association with their long-standing right-back is coming to a close, there appears to have been a reunion involving all parties whilst at the FIFA Club World Cup. That reunion comes despite Pep Guardiola insisting late on last season that Kyle Walker would not be a part of his Manchester City squad, even in the event of the veteran defender not joining AC Milan on a permanent agreement. Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester City's meeting with Al Hilal, Guardiola was also keen to insist upon the fond memories he has of working with Joao Cancelo, and the circumstances that also led to the defender's exit. Advertisement 'All players that have been with us I have incredible memories! I have incredible respect for Joao and everyone. Always when you take decisions it's not easy,' Guardiola admitted. 'When your boss tells you, 'You don't work. Stay at home', how would you feel? That is what players feel when you say you don't play! He has an incredible heart, but he was upset and sad because he didn't play, he LOVES to play football,' he added. 'When I said, 'Training is over', he said, 'No, no! One more! One more!' He LOVES to play football, and I'm happy he had the experience in Barcelona, and after in Al Hilal, happy he's back from injury. Joao was nominated best full-back in the year we won the Quadruple. He's an exceptional player; he can play right, left, both legs without problem.' And while admitting he is looking forward to reuniting with the Portugal international in Orlando when Al Hilal take on Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup, Pep Guardiola also appeared to reveal a link-up with Kyle Walker following his loan at AC Milan. Advertisement 'I'm happy tomorrow to see him [Joao Cancelo], like I saw Kyle [Walker] last day here, and the players that play in Juventus that played with us – always it's nice when you play these tournaments to review players that were important,' said Guardiola. 'We won many, many things with him [Cancelo], many, many things. And that remains all the time, and after the situations that happen sometimes are understandable. We had to take a decision, we took it, but it remains what we lived and the person who he is!' Despite Kyle Walker appearing to reunite with Manchester City in the United States, the feeling remains within the club that the 35-year-old will bring a permanent end to his association with the club this summer. While there has been tenuous interest from the likes of Everton in the Premier League, nothing concrete involving a deal for Walker is yet to develop, and it remains to be seen where he will end up come the start of the new season.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Junior Caminero's two-run home run (21)
Grace Community School senior and para-athlete Will Butts wins gold in the 100M and 400M at paralympic training competition in Los Angeles Grace Community School senior and para-athlete Will Butts wins gold in the 100M and 400M at paralympic training competition in Los Angeles
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Former Wisconsin basketball star agrees to one-year deal with Phoenix Suns
Former Wisconsin Badgers basketball star Nigel Hayes-Davis has agreed to a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal is fully guaranteed. It marks Hayes-Davis' first taste of NBA action since he played five games with the Sacramento Kings during the 2017-18 slate. The news arrives roughly one month after the Badger alumnus wrapped up a spectacular season with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Turkey. Hayes-Davis capped off the 2024-25 EuroLeague campaign with an 81-70 victory over Monaco, securing him EuroLeague Final Four MVP honors and the club's first championship since 2017. Hayes-Davis' recent title followed another championship run last summer, when he pocketed a Turkish League Championship and MVP honor in Turkey's Basketbol Süper Ligi Finals. The Ohio native averaged over 17 points per game to snag finals MVP honors throughout the series, which ignited his return to professional basketball in the United States. Between his time in Europe, the former Badger suited up alongside the USA Men's National Team during its exhibition schedule before the Olympic crew won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Outside of practice, he played exhibitions in Las Vegas, London and Abu Dhabi alongside a bevy of NBA Hall of Famers, including now-teammate Devin Booker. Hayes-Davis reportedly drew interest from the Boston Celtics' head coach Joe Mazulla, who was spotted in Istanbul for the Bachesehir - Fenerbahçe game in early June. While the Celtics didn't bite, another franchise did. The former Wisconsin standout suited up in nine games for the Kings, Lakers and Raptors during the 2017-18 slate following his career in Madison, but he didn't experience as much success as he did in college. His European basketball journey appears to have rejuvenated his career, and now he will look to compete alongside players like Booker, Jalen Green, Bradley Beal, Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams. During his time in Madison, Hayes-Davis was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), a two-time third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017) honoree and an All-Big Ten first team selection in 2016. He, along with Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker, wound up in the 2015 NCAA title game against the Duke Blue Devils during one of the most memorable runs in franchise history. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
