But did he pay too steep a price in terms of outgoing draft picks?
The Magic acquired hard-nosed, sharp-shooting wing Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies for wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, guard Cole Anthony, four first-round picks and one pick swap.
16 pick in this year’s draft, their unprotected first-round pick in 2028 and their unprotected first-round pick in 2030, a league source said.
The Magic will also convey a 2026 first-round pick to the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies will also receive the swap rights to a first-round pick in 2029 that is top-two protected.
Following the Orlando Magic’s second consecutive year of elimination in the first round of the playoffs, Jeff Weltman, the team’s president of basketball operations, announced that the Magic would implement “a win-now philosophy” in order to improve their offensive shortcomings.
Weltman demonstrated his plans on Sunday morning.
However, did he incur excessive costs in terms of outgoing draft picks?
The Magic traded guard Cole Anthony, wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four first-round picks, and one pick for the Memphis Grizzlies’ hard-nosed, sharp-shooting wing Desmond Bane. Sunday afternoon marked the official start of the trade.
Alongside Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr., Bane, who turns 27 later this month, is a career 41 percent 3-point shooter and a competent secondary playmaker who will most likely start for Orlando.
With a deal that expires at the end of the 2028–29 campaign, Bane should be able to contribute to Orlando’s floor spacing and coach Jamahl Mosley’s defensive scheme.
The 32-year-old Caldwell-Pope did not deliver the offensive punch the Magic had hoped for in the 2024–25 regular season and 2025 postseason after they signed him to a three-year, $66 million contract last summer.
The 25-year-old scorer Anthony occasionally lost his spot in Orlando’s starting lineup in the 2024–25 campaign.
The Magic is relinquishing the No. According to a league source, they have unprotected first-round selections in 2028 and 2030, as well as a 16 pick in this year’s draft.
The Magic will also give the Grizzlies a 2026 first-round pick. This aspect of the transaction is very intricate, though. The Magic’s pick that year or the less desirable pick from Phoenix or Washington will be given to the Grizzlies. Nevertheless, Washington’s selection is protected in the top eight and is not likely to convey. ).
In 2029, the Grizzlies will also get the swap rights to a top-two protected first-round pick.
In essence, Magic officials are calculating that by allocating all that draft capital, they will be a strong contender in the Eastern Conference, which will position their first-round picks late in the first round.
After firing longtime head coach Taylor Jenkins late in the season and stumbling into the playoffs, Memphis’ quick first-round loss to Oklahoma City was the clearest indication that the team had reached a breaking point and that change was imminent. As long as Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are leading the offense, the Grizzlies will be competitive. bolsters the defense, but a general software update for this roster would be beneficial.
Although Bane’s decision to leave Memphis is still a little surprising considering his value as a floor spacer, secondary playmaker, and reliable point-of-attack defender, the offer of four first-round picks without any protections is just too good to refuse.
(Photo: Getty Images/Chris Graythen).
