The Orlando Magic swooped in and snagged guard Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, in a huge Father’s Day swap. ESPN insider Shams Charania initially broke the news of the deal, noting Orlando ships Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and four future first-round picks. Magic President Jeff Weltman confirmed the move Monday morning.
Jeff Weltman spoke with Mike Bianchi and gave some insight into the blockbuster trade that went Desmond Bane to Orlando on Father’s Day.
— Orlando Magic HQ (@OMagicHQ) June 16, 2025
Check out some of his quotes from the interview. pic.twitter.com/Mc44QjNwPd
Orlando’s bench boss Jamahl Mosley and the front office have made shooting their priority. The Magic ranked last in the NBA in both three-pointers made per game and three-point percentage in 2024–25, so adding Bane — a career 39% 3-point shooter addresses a glaring need.
Orlando Goes All-In With Desmond Bane
Orlando landed Desmond Bane in a major trade with Memphis, giving the Magic a 26-year-old perimeter scorer to strengthen a young core built around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
The deal sent Bane to Orlando in exchange for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and four first-round picks. President Jeff Weltman called Bane one of the league’s elite guards and said the Magic were thrilled to welcome him to the organization.
Bane averaged 20.1 points last season and shot 40.8% from three. He is expected to start alongside Jalen Suggs in a retooled backcourt. Bane was vacationing in Florida when the trade was finalized and had a FaceTime call with Weltman and coach Jamahl Mosley shortly after.
The move signals Orlando’s continued investment in its young foundation. Adding Bane gives the Magic a deeper offense to support Banchero and Wagner. Wendell Carter Jr., a free-agent target of the Celtics, is expected to return at center, though the front office may explore bench changes.
Team insiders have floated trade options involving Moritz Wagner or Gary Harris to clear cap space. One possibility includes using the mid-level exception on Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a move that could round out a guard trio of Suggs, Bane, and Alexander-Walker around Orlando’s core.
Desmond Bane’s Trade Ripple Effects Across the League
Orlando’s trade for Desmond Bane, sending Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and four first-round picks to Memphis, has set the early tone for the offseason and drawn scrutiny ahead of the draft and free agency.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps called the four-pick deal a potential benchmark.
Bane, a high-efficiency scorer, joins a lineup with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Analysts noted the pick-and-roll potential but emphasized the cost.
Four picks is A LOT
Bontemps wrote.
Report: Orlando acquires Desmond Bane from Memphis for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four firsts
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) June 15, 2025
Bane is a fantastic fit next to Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner (the pick-and-roll possibilities are enticing), but four picks is A LOT.https://t.co/bXnMafAtTy
Some see it as a bargain for Memphis, others as an overpay by Orlando. Comparisons to recent moves involving Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby reflect how inflated draft-pick prices have shaped trade values.
Orlando enters camp with a second scoring option and added guard depth. Memphis now holds six lottery-caliber picks.
League sources say rival front offices do not expect a full teardown. Instead, GM Zach Kleiman is expected to use the draft capital to pursue another star.
Orlando will focus on integrating Bane into coach Jamahl Mosley’s rotation as it builds around its young core.
READ: Ja Morant Contract And Salary Explored as the Grizzlies’ Player Is Linked For A Massive Trade
