4 thoughts on Memphis Grizzlies trading Desmond Bane
So, the Memphis Grizzlies just traded Desmond Bane and received a mighty draft haul.
The Memphis Grizzlies dropped the first trade domino of the NBA offseason with an unexpected trade.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round picks, and a pick swap.
Wow.
Obviously, you cannot operate under the thinking that you can’t see someone getting trades in today’s NBA. The only exceptions are Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. With that said, I didn’t envision Bane being moved for this sort of package.
I’m going to refrain from grades, because you can’t judge this trade until we see what follows. Subsequent moves are expected.
Before giving the trade thoughts, I will say it’s a win-win trade. The Magic got a player that can help them win the East, and the Grizzlies got a veteran stopper with draft capital to adapt to any direction they choose.
Desmond Bane
Trading Desmond Bane is crushing. He’s such a fun basketball player to watch. Most importantly, it’s been cool to see him grow throughout his time in Memphis.
He came into the league as a 3-and-D prospect, likely heading towards a Danny Green-type career. He contributed to winning very early in his career in a role off the bench. Then year after year, he took sizable leaps to become one of the best shooting guards in the league.
He’s one of the best shooters in franchise history. He built upon his marksmanship to grow as a ball-handler, playmaker, and three-level scorer. Bane really has had one of the best developmental trajectories I’ve seen in my time watching the Grizzlies. In addition, watching him grow as a leader was awesome, as his voice held tons of weight in the locker room.
For the Orlando Magic, this is an awesome swing even at an overpay with draft capital. Their offense was quite putrid for a playoff team. They desperately needed shooting next to Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. The backcourt with Bane and Jalen Suggs will also be the perfect dynamic of defense (Suggs) and shooting (Bane) next to their stars. I was hoping some East teams would take a swing with the Celtics and Bucks heading towards down years, and the Magic was one of those squads I had grouped with these moves. This quantifies as a move that should bolster Orlando’s chances to win the East.
On a different note, it was very tough breaking the news to my wife that the Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane, her favorite player.
The Players coming back
The Grizzlies received Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony.
Caldwell-Pope is the main player of the trade. After signing with Orlando, his value diminished, mainly due to his decline as a shooter (40.6 to 34.2%). It’s fair to suggest his regression was due to not playing next to Nikola Jokić and LeBron James. Nonetheless, he’s still a formidable defender that can guard multiple positions at a high level and create defensive events. If his shooting progresses to the mean, he’s a valuable, battle-tested 3-and-D wing.
This trade should also take pressure off Jaylen Wells on defending the opposing team’s best player every single night.
I don’t foresee Cole Anthony being here on opening night. He’d provide some creation, but he’s not better than Scottie Pippen Jr. He’d be an expensive third-string point guard. With the picks, I’d expect them to use Anthony to get a cleaner fit, as he’s making $13.1M next season and has a $13.1M team option in the 2026-27 season. Players I’d be all for in this scenario:
Herb Jones
Nickeil Alexander-Walker via sign-and-trade
PJ Washington
Donte DiVincenzo
Moses Moody
The picks
The draft haul is juicy. The Athletic’s Josh Robbins confirmed the draft details as the following:
16th pick this year
A 2026 1st tied into the Grizzlies’ swap with Suns and Wizards. Hypothetically, if the Wizards and Suns are in the lottery, and Memphis is better than Orlando, they will get the Suns and Magic pick selections.
A 2028 1st
Swap rights in 2029 (top-two protected)
A 2030 1st
Let’s talk about this year’s pick, because it’s more immediate. The Grizzlies have a chance to add cost-controlled depth — or use this for another trades. My tiers for Grizzlies picks:
Over the moon: Noa Essengue, Collin Murray-Boyles, Cedric Coward
Great picks, probably there: Thomas Sorber, Nique Clifford
Would be cool with: Carter Bryant, Liam McNeeley, Ben Saraf, Noah PEnda
The real premium asset here is the 2026 first-round pick. It’s a bet on the instability with the Phoenix Suns, as this could be a chance for the Grizzlies to add a lottery pick.
The big deal here is that the Grizzlies now have assets to go in whatever directions. They have all their first-round picks and swaps after this year. Now, they have recouped a 2025 first-round pick with three more at their disposal.
Draft picks are important in today’s NBA, as they’re valuable currency. I’m curious how they operate the rest of the summer with a shuffled deck.
What’s next for the Memphis Grizzlies?
The Grizzlies likely aren’t rebuilding, as I see them wanting to mix things up around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The offseason is just getting started. The NBA draft is not even a week away.
The Grizzlies need shooting and ball-handling to replace Bane. Having secondary forms of ball-handling and rim pressure is important in today’s NBA. In its backcourt, they really only have it with Ja Morant and Scotty Pippen Jr. With Morant’s durability concerns, they have to shore up its backcourt with a nice blend of shooting and ball-handling.
They still need a big man while Zach Edey is out. The picks could come in handy there.
Now, you wonder who’s going to be the Grizzlies’ third-best player. They clearly believe in Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., but who’s going to be the other guy they can count on? While the CBA becomes restrictive on a Big 3 with three max contract players, it’s an important question when assessing a team’s playoff ceiling.
Trading Desmond Bane is a tough move, but the Grizzlies couldn’t say no to that offer. It presented them with draft capital for flexibility, a veteran 3-and-D wing, and a young player with a tradeable contract.
The offseason is just getting started, and I’m intrigued about what the Memphis Grizzlies can do next.
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