The Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic each enter today with the same record of 3-5 on their early-season slate. While a rash of injuries and drama between Ja Morant and head coach Tuomas Iisalo has affected the Grizzlies during their three-game losing streak, the Orlando Magic's slow start has been surprising to many.
The first trade of the NBA offseason occurred when Memphis traded Desmond Bane to Orlando for four first-round picks, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Cole Anthony. Although the Grizzlies and Anthony mutually parted ways shortly afterward, it opened up cap space for them to extend Jaren Jackson Jr.
With that said, Orlando's expectations were much higher than the Grizzlies' coming into this season, so the early returns on the trade appear to be going Memphis' way. There is still a lot of season left, but the haul Memphis received looks promising, even if Orlando turns around their early-season slump and Memphis doesn't.
Cedric Coward has outperformed Desmond Bane
Again, the season is young, but the Grizzlies used two of their four picks from the Magic to trade up and draft Cedric Coward with the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. After missing Summer League as he recovered from shoulder surgery, Coward has begun his rookie season better than anyone expected.
Through his first eight career games coming off the bench, Coward is tied for third in minutes on the team (26 per game), third in scoring (15.3 points), and second in three-point shooting (48.3%). Meanwhile, through the same number of games, Desmond Bane is scoring 13.9 points per game on 41.4% shooting from the field and 28.6% from three for the Magic.
Also, uncharacteristically, Bane was ejected from a game for the first time in his career in their last game against the Atlanta Hawks. While Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has struggled with his shot with Memphis, much like he did with the Magic last season, Cedric Coward and whoever the Grizzlies turn those other picks into will determine how the deal will be viewed.
74 games are remaining on the season for both teams, but Coward has been producing at his high clip without starting a game. His trajectory will likely land him in the Grizzlies' starting lineup, potentially in place of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Regardless of how that situation transpires, the other picks Memphis received in the trade make it a must that Orlando turns their season around.