The Memphis Grizzlies made waves across the NBA landscape this week by finalizing a blockbuster trade that sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic—an unexpected move that even caught some teammates off guard. One of them was Ja Morant, who reacted with raw emotion to the departure of his longtime backcourt partner.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Morant shared a photo of himself embracing Bane, captioning it: “Shi tough but we forever. go be great brudda @_dbane1.” The message, while brief, captured the deep connection forged between the two stars over years of playing together in Memphis.
The Grizzlies sent Bane to Orlando in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and a significant package of draft assets. Memphis secured the No. 16 overall pick in 2025, unprotected first-round picks in 2026, 2028, and 2030, plus a top-two protected pick swap in 2029—a move that signals a strategic pivot for the franchise.
Bane joins an emerging Magic core led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who helped Orlando reach the playoffs last season before falling to the Boston Celtics in the first round. Despite the early exit, the Magic showed they were a competitive force with a bright future—and Bane’s arrival is expected to raise their ceiling even further.
Orlando pursued this trade with a clear vision: to accelerate the growth of their rising young roster. After finishing the regular season at 41–41 and lacking perimeter scoring in the postseason, the Magic saw Bane as an ideal fit to bring offensive balance and veteran composure.
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Memphis, on the other hand, viewed the move as an opportunity to recalibrate. After being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, the Grizzlies decided to restructure around Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. By acquiring seasoned contributors and valuable draft capital, they’ve positioned themselves to reload rather than rebuild.
During his five seasons with the Grizzlies, Bane played 313 games and averaged 17.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. In the 2024–25 campaign, he posted career-best numbers—19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists—while shooting 48.4% from the floor and 39.2% from three-point range.
Bane’s impact in Memphis extended well beyond the box score. He set the franchise’s single-season record for made three-pointers in 2022, scored a career-high 49 points in December 2023, and emerged as one of the NBA’s elite catch-and-shoot threats. The Grizzlies rewarded his growth with a five-year, $207 million extension in 2023—an investment that underscored just how central he had become to their identity.
