Most breakups are uneasy when unexpected, and the NBA is no different. However, Desmond Bane has been a class act since his sudden departure from the Memphis Grizzlies last month.
Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman has a reputation for being communicative with their players when making a roster move and that was not different with Desmond Bane. Bane appeared on The Young Man & the Three podcast shortly after his trade to the Orlando Magic to say as much.
He didn't have to wait to see it on social media or hear from his agent as Kleiman directly contacted him to let him know that he had been traded. Although Bane isn't a Grizzly anymore, it doesn't take away the love he has for the organization, the city, and his former teammates.
Desmond Bane congratulated his former teammates on their paydays
The Grizzlies have been busy this offseason wheeling and dealing on both the trade market and in the pocketbooks. Following their trading of Desmond Bane, they made an additional trade on draft night to move up to select former Washington State forward Cedric Coward.
What followed was the Grizzlies taking all the early news of free agency with a flurry of signings, including a contract extension for Jaren Jackson Jr., the re-signing of Santi Aldama, and a promotion for two-way guard Cam Spencer onto the main roster.
Desmond Bane hyping up a bunch of his former teammates getting paid.
— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) June 30, 2025
My favorite is the note for Cam Spencer: “Crazy mf right here” 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/KGj3fOgKC2
This wasn't lost on their former teammate as Bane used Instagram stories to congratulate each of his former teammates in separate posts. Most might be surprised for the Santi Aldma love after a sideline altercation between the two former Grizzlies went viral a couple months back.
However, friends have disagreements and this showed that's all that was. Another former Grizzlies teammate received a congratulatory post from Bane as Jake LaRavia inked a two-year, $12 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after being traded to the Sacramento Kings at the February trade deadline.
The Memphis Grizzlies have been known to be a close-knit organization from the top down the last couple of seasons, and yesterday's display by Bane proved that business can be separate from personal relationships. The Grizzlies decided it was in their best interest to part ways with Bane to give them a better opportunity to propel forward and reward others in the process.
Business will always come first, but the current and former Grizzlies know how to navigate the tough roads of that to cultivate good friendships that will last a lifetime.