The Desmond Bane trade last summer sent shockwaves throughout the league and surprised both the Grizzlies and Magic fanbases. Desmond Bane has been incredible for the Magic lately, but it still remains crystal clear that the Grizzlies made the right decision.
The initial reaction was interesting to see. Some thought the Grizzlies fleeced the Magic while others thought Orlando made the right win-now move. At the time the Grizzlies ended up trading Desmond Bane for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and a pick swap.
In 63 games, Desmond Bane is currently averaging 20.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists despite getting off to a slow start. The Magic are picking up momentum lately, and one of the main reasons is Desmond Bane.
We're a few weeks away from judging the first full season of the trade. However, there have been enough games played to realize that this was a mutually beneficial trade. Even though Bane has given Orlando a much-needed boost, the Grizzlies were right to move on in a different direction.
Grizzlies had to improve the balance of their roster
Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. were once one of the most promising cores in the NBA. Unfortunately, it was becoming increasingly clear that the trio likely would not have been able to deliver a championship to Memphis. Even though there were injuries and failures related to roster construction and coaching, the trio wasn't showing the signs of being able to defeat the Western Conference's elite teams.
The Grizzlies struggled significantly after the trade deadline last season and ended up firing Taylor Jenkins just nine games before the regular season ended. While the depth was definitely not strong enough to upset the Oklahoma City Thunder, performances from stars such as Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane made the decision easier to pivot in a different direction.
Grizzlies have more opportunities to improve the roster's talent
Using the 2028 first-round pick acquired from the Bane trade and additional assets, the Grizzlies traded up to #11 to select Cedric Coward, and it was clearly the right choice. While Kentavious Caldwell-Pope did not give the on-court production the Grizzlies wanted from the longtime veteran, it is clear that they struck gold with the Cedric Coward pick.
Cedric Coward has been one of the best rookies in the entire 2025 NBA Draft class so far, averaging 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 50 games. It is clear that he possesses significant potential. However, the key factor to consider here is that getting off of Bane's contract allowed the Grizzlies to get the production of Coward while also having the flexibility to add more players.
As a part of the trade, the Grizzlies also got the most favorable pick between the Suns and Magic. Even though the Magic have significantly improved lately, there is still a chance they end up in the Play-In Tournament. Regardless, the more favorable of the Phoenix and Orlando picks should land in the teens in what is a very stacked 2026 NBA Draft.
The Grizzlies will have multiple drafts and free agency to boost the high-end talent on the roster for the new rebuild. It is never easy to lose fan favorites, such as Desmond Bane. Even though this has been a challenging season in Memphis and Bane is thriving in Orlando, the Grizzlies trading him was clearly the best choice long-term.