Desmond Bane joins Orlando: « A perfect match » according to the guard

Two days after his spectacular trade from Memphis to Orlando, Desmond Bane was officially introduced to the Magic press. The 27-year-old guard didn’t hide his enthusiasm about this new adventure, even revealing that the Magic was already at the top of his priorities.

« I promise you: Orlando was at the very top of my list, » assured Bane, referring to a discussion with his agent at the end of the season about teams where he’d like to play if he left the Grizzlies. « It’s a perfect match, » according to him.

A major trade for high ambitions

The Magic made a considerable effort to acquire Bane, trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round Draft picks and a swap right. This significant compensation reflects the expectations placed on the former Memphis player, who averaged 20.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists over the last four seasons, with 41% three-point shooting.

« It’s time to win, it’s as simple as that, » stated Bane straightforwardly, fully embracing the pressure associated with this trade. The American guard sees in this young Orlando team a potential similar to what he experienced in Memphis during the Grizzlies’ rise.

« Paolo, Franz, Jalen, Wendell, Tristan, Anthony… The list is long, but I’ve had the chance to play against them, and it was always difficult to score against them, » he analyzed regarding his new teammates. His primary mission will be to solve Orlando‘s three-point shooting problems while fitting into the Magic’s renowned defensive system.

From fear to excitement

On vacation in Florida when Zach Kleiman, his former executive in Memphis, called to announce his trade, Bane experienced an intense emotional moment. « Before he told me where I was going, my heart tightened, simply because there were 29 other teams where I could have landed, » he confided. « Then, as soon as he said Orlando, I smiled on the phone. »

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies seem determined to continue their rebuild around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. According to ESPN information, Memphis « privately signals they will continue to build around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.«  The organization is therefore not looking to trade its two remaining cornerstones.

For Bane, this new chapter looks promising: « You can feel there’s real excitement in the air, as well as expectations. Expectations are a good thing, and I think we have the roster needed to accomplish some really great things. »