“Grizzlies’ Masterstroke: Desmond Bane Trade Proves to be Magic’s Worst Nightmare

Grizzlies’ Masterstroke: Desmond Bane Trade Proves to be Magic’s Worst Nightmare

Instead of focusing on developing their All-Star tandem of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant, the conversation around the Memphis Grizzlies dealing Desmond Bane shifted to whether the team was contemplating a rebuild.

 

“All-Star” is the operative term here since, despite being a vital cog in the Grizzlies’ recent success, Desmond Bane was never named to the All-Star team.

 

The Grizzlies’ downfall from a top-three seed at the All-Star break to eighth in the playoffs last season was exacerbated by roster building and coaching upheaval within the front office.

With only two games separating them and the three-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, the Grizzlies narrowly avoided the play-in tournament and secured home-court advantage after finishing the regular season with a record of 12-16.

 

 

However, with their team at a crossroads with Jaren Jackson Jr. eligible for a contract extension ahead of unrestricted free agency next summer, the Grizzlies decided to trade their highest-paid player, who was third in the pecking order of their most important players.

Bane’s trade return yielded more than expected

Desmond Bane is a really good NBA starting shooting guard, and he provided great value to the team that drafted with 30th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.

 

He entered the NBA primarily as a spot-up shooter, but developed his game to become a scorer on all three levels of the floor and was a clear part of the Grizzlies’ core.

 

 

However, tough decisions have to be taken in this business, and the landscape of the salary cap laws made it simpler for the organization to prioritize the two players who have made repeated All-Star appearances to create their squad around.

 

Even though Bane was supposed to stay with the Grizzlies for another year to try to rectify last year’s mistakes, the Orlando Magic made the decision nonetheless.

 

To the Grizzlies, who were eliminated from the playoffs last year, trading a player who has never been named to the NBA All-Star team for four first-round picks was an obvious choice.

 

Even if the return could mean a rebuild, the team also made some ancillary moves to help develop their stars, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., by adding players who are good fits.

How well the Grizzlies play this season with a revamped roster and how they use their extra draft picks will determine their fate.

 

Is the possibility of acquiring another All-Star using the remaining draft picks being considered? The chance has presented itself, and they have Magic to thank for providing Desmond Bane with more than they could have ever dreamed of.