Desmond Bane traded to Magic: NBA sees Memphis heading in wrong direction

The surprise trade of Desmond Bane by the Memphis Grizzlies to the Orlando Magic last Sunday continues to make waves in the League. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, several NBA teams now see Memphis as a franchise heading toward rebuilding rather than competing for a title.

« Teams around the league looked at this move and said: this is an indication they’re going in one direction and not the other, » Windhorst stated during Monday’s The Hoop Collective show. This negative perception raises questions about the Grizzlies’ long-term strategy after trading away one of their best offensive assets.

An aggressive Magic faces strong competition

The Orlando Magic was particularly determined to acquire Bane. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, « several teams inquired about Bane » but none worked as « aggressively » as the Magic. This approach partly explains the high price Orlando paid: veterans Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four unprotected first-round picks, and a pick swap.

For Orlando, Bane represents their missing puzzle piece. At 26, the guard boasts a 41% career three-point shooting percentage, a crucial statistic for a team that had the league’s worst long-range offense last season. Under contract through 2028-29, he strengthens a promising core alongside Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Paolo Banchero.

Memphis keeps remaining stars

Despite speculation, the Grizzlies aren’t planning other major trades according to Bontemps. The organization « is not looking to trade its two remaining pillars, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr, » according to the journalist. This trade appears aimed at creating salary flexibility to renegotiate and extend Jackson Jr’s contract while reshaping the roster around his duo with Ja Morant.

The Grizzlies managed to maximize their return by leveraging competition among multiple suitors to demand additional assets. Though Memphis is seen as weakened in the short term, this transaction now gives them the opportunity to aggressively pursue additions that might better complement their core than Bane did.