Not long ago, it looked like the Orlando Magic had started picking up serious steam as they had won seven straight games earlier in the month. Since then, the Magic have won just one of their last eight games, and the questions continue to grow.
Everyone knows how competitive the Eastern Conference Play-In race is, but the Memphis Grizzlies could end up being the biggest winners if the Magic continue to slide. The Desmond Bane trade last summer took the entire league by storm given the significant draft capital the Grizzlies received and the fact it began the Grizzlies' split of their once promising young core.
Desmond Bane was also a logical fit for the Magic, and the move could have potentially propelled Orlando closer to contention. While Bane has played very well despite a slow start to the season, Orlando currently has a better chance of missing the playoffs altogether than winning the Eastern Conference.
Yesterday, the Orlando Magic lost by an embarrassing 139-87 scoreline in a must-win game to the Toronto Raptors on the road and fell to 39-35. It will be very interesting to see how they respond after such a devastating loss.
What would this mean for the Grizzlies?
Even though Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony were a part of the trade package, the main selling point for the Grizzlies doing the trade was to get more draft capital and create future flexibility. While GM Zach Kleiman had hoped to retool around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., injuries derailed what could've been a playoff berth, and Jackson Jr. was traded two days before the deadline.
Ja Morant might have potentially played his last game in Memphis, and it remains to be seen what happens next. Regardless, the Grizzlies have plenty of future first-round picks to work with, and the Grizzlies might have another very valuable pick via Orlando. One of the picks given in the Desmond Bane trade is a 2026 first-round pick swap that would be the best pick between Phoenix and Orlando.
Right now, it looks like Phoenix should at least make the Play-In Tournament and probably play in the first round of the playoffs. The Magic currently stand as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference but are 2.5 games behind the 6th seed Hawks, and they're just a half game above the Heat and Hornets.
Given the context, Grizzlies fans should hope for the Orlando Magic to miss the playoffs outright, as it would give the Grizzlies another lottery pick.
The trade could help grow the Grizzlies' young core
In order to move up five spots and select Cedric Coward 11th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies gave up pick #16, two future seconds, and most importantly, a 2028 first-round pick given by the Magic in the Bane trade. If Orlando ends up missing the playoffs, the Grizzlies could further strengthen their young core alongside Cedric Coward thanks to the Magic.
The Grizzlies already have their own first-round pick and have a second-round pick that could become the best of the round. Add another potential lottery pick in the fold via Orlando, and the Grizzlies could dramatically boost the talent level on their roster in just one offseason.
While Grizzlies fans should hope for continued development from their young players and the Grizzlies' own pick landing at least in the top 8, Orlando missing the playoffs would make the Desmond Bane trade even better for the team.