Thoughts on Desmond Bane?

[Godymas]

Desmond Bane is one of the more interesting players in the NBA imo, he's a guy that earned a max extension from Memphis and you can kind of say he's lived up to it.

Some go as far to say he's a top 5 SG in the NBA today, although the position is historically weak and pretty much falls off after the big 3 of Ant/Mitchell/Booker.

With that said, he's clearly been a steal at his draft position, selected 30th overall and traded from Boston to Memphis.

He had to earn minutes in Memphis, the team was very much loaded with depth when he got there. He was fighting for minutes with guys like Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks, DeAnthony Melton, Tyus Jones, etc.

However, Memphis bought in heavily his second year and he grew to be the true MIP that second year.

His game, it's weird because I feel like he takes a ton of bad shots driving to the rim, but his 3 point shooting is undoubtedly elite, but the bigger issue imo, is he is inconsistent. He always kind of starts off with a bit of a shooting slump, and then builds up into being elite by the end of the year. His size and build are obviously unique for what he is, but he stands at a solid 6'5, he's muscular, can't get bullied, but obviously he has those infamous T-Rex arms.

Last year on the injured Grizzlies, he led them in scoring with almost 24 ppg on solid efficiency, but there's just kind of a lack of something in his game, I'm not sure what it is. I feel like he's the optimized version of what "hard work" does. I don't feel like he has talent to be an All NBA level guy. Maybe he makes an All Star team later on.

Is he good enough to be the #2 on a contending Memphis team? He does fit the archetype of the level of player that has been #2 on a contending team, but obviously the #1 for those champions has been generally a top 5 guy in the NBA, and Ja Morant has not been a top 5 guy in the NBA.

His playoff performances, in the recent years where Memphis was expected to contend, have been kind of disappointing lately. He was great from an efficiency standpoint, when Memphis made the 2nd round a few years ago, but it never feels like he's driving them to win, and I think that's the fundamental issue, is that he won't be the reason a team wins, but he is a big part of what could make a team a winner.

[SpreeS]

He is in the mix with Bridges and White and they aren't second options on contending teams.

[Slimjimzv]

I think his arms are too short.

[Kingdibs19]

Built like a dinosaur

[BAMAFREAK]

He’s really good offensively. Top 5 3 point shooter in the game and can score at all 3 levels.
Defensively is where he gives us headaches. Obviously he has the length issue, but that’s compounded by the fact that he isn’t very twitchy or quick laterally. Therefore, he gives up a ton of penetration and with Ja at his side, that hurts. In theory, that would be ok with a healthy JJJ and Edey behind him…..but, in my estimation, keeping penetration to a minimum is how you win in today’s NBA.
Look at both OKC and Indy, they have athletes 1-3 who can thwart a lot of would be defense collapsing attempts.
This is why I would be ok trading him. We have Ja and JJJ to carry the offense.
He fits some teams like a glove though, if they have a d minded PG and wing defender at the 3. Orlando, Houston(minus FVV), Chicago would be interesting and a few others

[Liam_Gallagher]

He's got a GREAT name.

[UglyBugBall]

Bane was a great pick at 30 and he's def earned his extension. He plays hard, shoots the ball well, and does all the little things you want from a high level role player.

But I agree with you he’s probably not a guy who’s going to swing a playoff series. He’s not someone who takes over games or consistently puts pressure on defenses the way a true number two option should. He can score and space the floor, but he doesn’t create a lot on his own or elevate teammates in a big way.

His shooting is legit, and he plays with confidence, but there’s definitely something missing. It might just be that he lacks that extra gear or burst that top guards usually have. He’s solid and valuable, but not someone you build around or rely on to carry a big load in the playoffs.

If Memphis wants to contend, Bane is a great third piece, but they probably still need a true second star behind Ja.

[Chuck Everett]

He's overpaid because of who he plays with. If Ja and Jackson were actually elite when it matters, his value would be seen more easily. Since they aren't, he gets lost in the shuffle. He would be so good next to Paolo and Franz.

[UcanUwill]

I think his arms are too short.

jacked tho.

[XTC]

I think his arms are too short.

jacked tho.

Swollz***

[slicedbread2]

He’s really good offensively. Top 5 3 point shooter in the game and can score at all 3 levels.
Defensively is where he gives us headaches. Obviously he has the length issue, but that’s compounded by the fact that he isn’t very twitchy or quick laterally. Therefore, he gives up a ton of penetration and with Ja at his side, that hurts. In theory, that would be ok with a healthy JJJ and Edey behind him…..but, in my estimation, keeping penetration to a minimum is how you win in today’s NBA.
Look at both OKC and Indy, they have athletes 1-3 who can thwart a lot of would be defense collapsing attempts.
This is why I would be ok trading him. We have Ja and JJJ to carry the offense.
He fits some teams like a glove though, if they have a d minded PG and wing defender at the 3. Orlando, Houston(minus FVV), Chicago would be interesting and a few others

If Memphis were to trade Bane, what would be the asking price?

He'd be a great fit in Orlando and they have all their picks.

[BAMAFREAK]

He’s really good offensively. Top 5 3 point shooter in the game and can score at all 3 levels.
Defensively is where he gives us headaches. Obviously he has the length issue, but that’s compounded by the fact that he isn’t very twitchy or quick laterally. Therefore, he gives up a ton of penetration and with Ja at his side, that hurts. In theory, that would be ok with a healthy JJJ and Edey behind him…..but, in my estimation, keeping penetration to a minimum is how you win in today’s NBA.
Look at both OKC and Indy, they have athletes 1-3 who can thwart a lot of would be defense collapsing attempts.
This is why I would be ok trading him. We have Ja and JJJ to carry the offense.
He fits some teams like a glove though, if they have a d minded PG and wing defender at the 3. Orlando, Houston(minus FVV), Chicago would be interesting and a few others

If Memphis were to trade Bane, what would be the asking price?

He'd be a great fit in Orlando and they have all their picks.

I don’t think we’d be looking for picks, at least not as the centerpiece. It would be more so looking for either an immediate, but different type player contributor, or a somewhat established young player with major potential but a wart or two.
Suggs would fit the former and Jalen Green the latter.
Or two high end role guys that can defend the perimeter. It’s really hard to find something that works for both teams as both the grizzly and trading team would be contending

[The Laker Kid]

I think his arms are too short.

jacked tho.

Swollz***

He's the NBA's Corgi

[Hoop Hunter]

He's got really, really short arms.

Edit: I just saw that this is already been posted.

Rumor is he hires a guy to tie his shoes and hold his pee pee for him. He's got really short arms.

[QMemphis]

Doubt we move Bane now much easier to target a few more 3&D wings like Herb and Naji.

[Wallace_Wallace]

He's got really, really short arms.

Edit: I just saw that this is already been posted.

Rumor is he hires a guy to tie his shoes and hold his pee pee for him. He's got really short arms.

He didn’t have to hire the guy, he holds them hostage at gun point (with his biceps).

[Upperclass]

Desmond Bane is one of the more interesting players in the NBA imo, he's a guy that earned a max extension from Memphis and you can kind of say he's lived up to it.

Some go as far to say he's a top 5 SG in the NBA today, although the position is historically weak and pretty much falls off after the big 3 of Ant/Mitchell/Booker.

With that said, he's clearly been a steal at his draft position, selected 30th overall and traded from Boston to Memphis.

He had to earn minutes in Memphis, the team was very much loaded with depth when he got there. He was fighting for minutes with guys like Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks, DeAnthony Melton, Tyus Jones, etc.

However, Memphis bought in heavily his second year and he grew to be the true MIP that second year.

His game, it's weird because I feel like he takes a ton of bad shots driving to the rim, but his 3 point shooting is undoubtedly elite, but the bigger issue imo, is he is inconsistent. He always kind of starts off with a bit of a shooting slump, and then builds up into being elite by the end of the year. His size and build are obviously unique for what he is, but he stands at a solid 6'5, he's muscular, can't get bullied, but obviously he has those infamous T-Rex arms.

Last year on the injured Grizzlies, he led them in scoring with almost 24 ppg on solid efficiency, but there's just kind of a lack of something in his game, I'm not sure what it is. I feel like he's the optimized version of what "hard work" does. I don't feel like he has talent to be an All NBA level guy. Maybe he makes an All Star team later on.

Is he good enough to be the #2 on a contending Memphis team? He does fit the archetype of the level of player that has been #2 on a contending team, but obviously the #1 for those champions has been generally a top 5 guy in the NBA, and Ja Morant has not been a top 5 guy in the NBA.

His playoff performances, in the recent years where Memphis was expected to contend, have been kind of disappointing lately. He was great from an efficiency standpoint, when Memphis made the 2nd round a few years ago, but it never feels like he's driving them to win, and I think that's the fundamental issue, is that he won't be the reason a team wins, but he is a big part of what could make a team a winner.

He should be running point next to a big 2 not a small 1

[Mrakar]

Problem with player similar to Bane and JJJ is that they are just good enough to get the max contract but they are not impactful enough to justify it. In todays NBA/CBA you are not allowed to have overpayed players in order to contend bcs you need not only stars but also deep team. If they both for example earned 10 mils less(and im talking about JJJs next contract not this one) ppl would have different opinion about them.
That is also a case for people like Sabonis, Fox(lets see what happens in San Antonio), Ingram, Murray, Gobert, ...

[Potential]

Surprised how great of a shooter he is with these big muscles

[cupcakesnake]

I think Bane would look better in a bigger backcourt. Ja is pretty tiny by NBA standards, and the Grizzlies are usually playing a pretty small wing at the 3.

Picture him in Houston, Denver, OKC, Minnesota. I feel that mitigates his weaknesses and lets him shine as pure perimeter fire power.