The Memphis Grizzlies might have fleeced the Orlando Magic within the first blockbuster commerce of the summer season.
On Sunday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania tweeted the Magic dealt 4 unprotected first-round picks, a 2029 first-round decide swap and guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony for Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane.
Per Charania, Magic president Jeff Weltman has indicated the franchise is taking “an aggressive, win-now approach this offseason” to maximise its championship window. Orlando has a proficient core that options forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner and guard Jalen Suggs.
Nevertheless, buying and selling a number of first-round picks for Bane does not seem to be one of the best ways to go about it.
The guard, who turns 27 on June 25, is strong however is not the caliber of participant who immediately turns a group right into a championship contender. In 5 seasons with the Grizzlies, he by no means made an All-Star Recreation.
He’s a premier three-point shooter. The 2020 first-round decide has made 812-of-1,979 three-point makes an attempt (41 %) in his profession. Orlando might use higher three-point taking pictures after it completed final within the league in three-pointers made per sport (11.2) and three-point share (31.8 %) throughout the common season.
Nonetheless, the Magic might’ve improved their three-point taking pictures within the draft. In Tankathon’s latest mock draft, the Grizzlies use the Magic’s decide to pick Colorado State Rams guard Nique Clifford. In 36 video games throughout the 2024-25 season, he shot 37.7 % from three-point land.
Extra importantly, did the Magic have to make this transfer? This previous season, Orlando went 41-41 within the common season, however Banchero missed 34 video games due to a proper indirect tear, and Wagner missed 22 video games with the identical harm. After they had been within the lineup for Orlando’s last 16 regular-season video games, the Magic shot an above-average 36.7 % from three-point vary, via Josh Cohen of the team’s website.
It is honest to marvel if the Magic ought to’ve stored the picks and waited till this upcoming season’s commerce deadline to make a transfer. As a substitute, they’re banking on Bane being the lacking piece, and it is unclear whether or not he’s.
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