Desmond Bane spent his first five seasons in Memphis playing for the Grizzlies before being traded to the Orlando Magic this summer. He was recognized as a franchise staple after solidifying himself as the starting shooting guard during his second season, including arguably being their best player in their only series win in the 2022 playoffs.
However, mostly due to the NBA's hard cap rules, Bane became the player most likely to be traded after a disappointing end to last season for the team. With his status as a non-All-Star and being clearly third in the pecking order after Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies traded him for an offer they couldn't resist.
While his trade was bittersweet for the fan base, the anticipation for his return game to Memphis began. But the NBA threw a wrinkle in those plans as the Grizzlies are set to play their first NBA regular game outside of North America.
Desmond Bane will likely not return to Memphis next season
On the morning of July 30th, the NBA announced they will play six regular season games in Europe over the next three seasons, including the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic playing two games in January 2026. Due to the Western Conference and Eastern Conference teams being scheduled to play two home-and-home games per season, it likely means the Magic won't play a game in Memphis next season.
Desmond Bane was beloved for his time in Memphis, so getting an opportunity taken away from him to play in the city where he began his career and developed into a high-level player was a bummer to the Grizzlies fan base. A double whammy hit the fan base as the dates the Grizzlies will play the Magic in Berlin, Germany, and London, England, will eliminate their chance to play their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game next season as well.
The opportunity to play in front of a global crowd is a great opportunity for the team as Ja Morant is becoming known worldwide, but it constitutes another bittersweet moment. Robbing the Grizzlies' fan base of the opportunity to celebrate Desmond Bane with a standing ovation and video tribute stings for a player who might be considered a top-10 player in the franchise's history.
All hope isn't lost for a return for Bane to Memphis next season, but it will require the Grizzlies and Magic not to make an appearance in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals to have a chance. However, the team will still have to depend on the NBA to strategically schedule it as they schedule two games (home and away) for every team not in the final four of the NBA Cup.