Magic Acquire Desmond Bane From Grizzlies For Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, Four First Round Picks

[WuriderX]

The Magic had to give those picks to get rid of Caldwell Pope's horrible contract. He has several years left on it. Dude is washed and just signed that contract.

[boston_fan_ct]

Magic going for it so kind of respect that but 3 unprotected picks and pick swap later is a bit irresponsible and puts franchise at risk. Not too concerned about giving up 14 and the players it's too much of a gamble later for me for one player who is not top 10 guy.

[deeps6x]

Why not just trade for Beal?

Yeah, maybe. Orlando could have had picks coming back with him on that horrible contract. But they'd still be getting a 15-10 ppg player.

[deeps6x]

Huge haul for the Grizzlies. It would be great if they could turn those picks into a big time player, unfortunately, it’s Memphis. No one wants to play there.

Yep. Time to move the team back to Vancouver, where they belong.

[deeps6x]

Should've asked for Morant instead with that offer.

Maybe not enough for Ja, but for someone like Scottie Barnes? Sure.

[deeps6x]

Now Memphis should flip #16, the 2030 pick and salary to Toronto for RJ Barrett. He isn't as good as Bane as a creator, but RJ beats Bane on PPG, RPG, and APG, plus he is two years younger and an inch taller.

Memphis can pocket the two other FRPs (the 2026 one looks amazing), and the swap for a mere sideways move, and stay competitive this year.

Or, I'm sure Toronto would love to have #16 and Edey and salary even more.

KCP, Edey and #16 for RJ. Salaries even match.

[BigTex]

This one is awful on Magic side

Agreed. Should’ve got a better player for all that.. I mean he’s a sniper, but two solid players and four 1st round picks

this is the market rate.

That’s not what Nico said. He says it’s a huge overpay!!

Would you rather have Bane, Or a broken down former All-Star and three extra draft choices and Luka??

[BigTex]

Agreed. Should’ve got a better player for all that.. I mean he’s a sniper, but two solid players and four 1st round picks

this is the market rate.

That’s not what Nico said. He says it’s a huge overpay!!

Would you rather have Bane, Or a broken down former All-Star and three extra draft choices or Luka??

[JT3000]

Since when were Caldwell-Pope and Anthony "affordable?"

Should've asked for Morant instead with that offer.

What exactly do y'all think the Grizzlies are getting with these picks? The next big thing?

[Pickled Prunes]

Should've asked for Morant instead with that offer.

Maybe not enough for Ja, but for someone like Scottie Barnes? Sure.

I'd rather have Bane than Ja. Bane can play on or off ball, doesn't need to be the #1 but can be at times, is a far better shooter and defender and his contract is way better! In short... he is exactly what ORL needs!

Why not just trade for Beal?

Yeah, maybe. Orlando could have had picks coming back with him on that horrible contract. But they'd still be getting a 15-10 ppg player.

Bane is a far better player, but let's not assume we know everything we need to know about Beal based on his time in PHX. He's overpaid, but he's better than what he has been recently.

[Dino353]

Paolo / Wagner / Bane …. Three 20+ppg scorers & 1 ball …. Should have gone for a pg instead to pair with Suggs once healthy but will be interesting to see how this one pans out

Did you not watch them in the playoffs? They clearly lacked a shot creator/play-maker, Bane covers both

Watched the playoffs -- Bane exceeds what they lack -- the issue is the lack of touches for their "big 3"

Wagner / Banchero need the ball consistently & constantly to be effective, adding Bane to the mix limits their touches considerably. Jalen Suggs is not a prototypical PG, more in the Alex Caruso mold. Either this move puts them into ECF contention or it could backfire ( ala Phoenix Suns Bradley Beal trade ).

You are seriously overrating Wagner and Banchero here, neither is elite with Banchero being the wild card. Suggs is a better scorer than Caruso, far from a role player. Bane's skillset compliments Suggs,Banchero, and Wagner's perfectly just because he's unselfish and can play with or without the ball.

The Magic are clearly watching how Indiana is struggling once Haliburton gets trapped and Siakam is misfiring

[Illuz10n]

Now Memphis should flip #16, the 2030 pick and salary to Toronto for RJ Barrett. He isn't as good as Bane as a creator, but RJ beats Bane on PPG, RPG, and APG, plus he is two years younger and an inch taller.

Memphis can pocket the two other FRPs (the 2026 one looks amazing), and the swap for a mere sideways move, and stay competitive this year.

Or, I'm sure Toronto would love to have #16 and Edey and salary even more.

KCP, Edey and #16 for RJ. Salaries even match.

RJ Barrett is garbage. Inefficient player who doesn’t play any defense and will want a big contract soon.

[Vegeta10176]

We have Lakers fans saying Claxton is worth 1 protected 1st!

The market just changed that thought REAL QUICK.

Lol Desmond Bane is a calibre of player way ahead of Claxton that's an insane comparison.. What I would say is this shows what Austin Reeves is worth..

[Vegeta10176]

This one is awful on Magic side

Agreed. Should’ve got a better player for all that.. I mean he’s a sniper, but two solid players and four 1st round picks

KCP has been the opposite of solid this year.. Now is it an outlier especially when you only have to focus on one shooter same as will be for Bane. I dunno but KCP was about as bad as you get last season they probably needed to throw in a pick to move him

[Vegeta10176]

Low IQ NBA fans won’t immediately grasp that the Mikal Bridges/Rudy Gobert trades continues to set the market for mid type stars. They’ll also ignore that this was a very smart consolidation of assets to optimize their roster further with the type of shooter they’ve needed. Orlando will never land a big FA fish in today’s NBA, so they’re smartly building around their top pick. And he’s on their timeline. In a now wide open east?? The Magic are for real now. Nick Anderson 2.0 except he’s not… JK

low IQ fans will think the gorbert trade was a good trade.. Low IQ fans will think Paoblo is a MVP contender that can win a championship.. Bridges was also a mistake.. The knicks aren't winning with that team and have no assests left to improve.. The timberwolves are in cap hell with very few assests and no moves to make despite have a good roster arent good enough to win and are overpaying Gorbert. ANT is better than Paoblo and probably has a better roster outside maybe Franz and he won't be winning.. So is this a good trade no.. Are they winning a championship no.. Are they better absolutely.. Is this an overpay absolutely.. Is Bane better than Bridges I would say yes.. Is Bane better than Gorbert.. I dont know.

[LaserShark]

Lifelong Magic fan and this trade is incredible. Yes the number of picks was obscene, but you pay for talent like this. Desmond Bane is the perfect fit on this team.
So many were pushing for a PG, but Suggs is the PG and this allows you to interchangeably switch as needed.
Bane was top 40-50 in points, rebounds, assists, 3s, and steals. Only other player that hit those marks was Jokic. He can score on his own or on the catch and shoot.
The age and contract is right on line with the rest of the core. His salary is really the most we could comfortably afford long term.
Now we need a couple savvy vets from the likes of CP3, Tyus Jones, Naz Reid, Nickeil AW, Beasley, Portis, Lopez, Kennard, Horford, Schroeder, Nance, Looney, etc…

[LaserShark]

Why not just trade for Beal?

Beal has never been good or a winner. As Barkley would say best guy on an awful Wizards team for years. His contract is the worst in the league right now and Orlando couldn’t take that salary in today’s CBA.

[pepe1991]

The Magic had to give those picks to get rid of Caldwell Pope's horrible contract. He has several years left on it. Dude is washed and just signed that contract.

Horrible contract had 2 years $42M left with option of him being UFA after 2025-26 ( last year, player option).
Cole was UFA after 25-26 ( team option)

KCP isn't "washed" , he just can't carry bigger offensive load. He still is same dude that was starter on championship teams. But in those years it was Lebron and Jokić running offense, not Banchero.

When you buy role players from contenders, overpaying them is typical mistake, because you need to consider what makes them great. Often their production is just byproduct of superstar's gravity. Like, i don't know, Jason Kidd creating and carrying Keyon Martin's career of CP3 manufacturing Blake Griffin into "superstar" and Deandre into "elite center".

KCP was good player because he didn't need ball and played defense like crazy , sometimes he could hit open 3.
But once you overpay him and ask him to carry load he didn't carry for years ( or ever) you are just dumb person in charge.

[JKiddy]

We have Lakers fans saying Claxton is worth 1 protected 1st!

The market just changed that thought REAL QUICK.

Lol Desmond Bane is a calibre of player way ahead of Claxton that's an insane comparison.. What I would say is this shows what Austin Reeves is worth..

What do you mean? Do you think the market is more ripe to pick Austin Reeves than any other player on the market now?

[Alex_84]

Gwt in touch witht the times, people. Too expensive? It's just like real estate market or automotive industry - items/players are getting more expensive, not less.