Magic and Grizzlies make first big trade of what will be a busy NBA offseason
The Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies made first big trade of the NBA’s offseason, but it’s likely not going to be the last blockbuster trade we see.
The NBA Finals is far from over. The Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are tied at two games a piece, but the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic didn’t wait for the Finals to finish to make the first trade of the NBA offseason.
Major moves to kick off trade season
In a deal that will shake things up for two playoff teams from this past season, the Grizzlies are sending sharp shooter Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony and four unprotected fist round picks and a first round pick swap.
Bane was one of the best players on the Grizzlies over the last few years. He averaged 19.2 points last year after posting 20+ in the two years before all while shooting right around 40% from three point range. He will be a prefect complement for a Magic team that feel like they are only a few piece away from being a contender in the Eastern Conference.
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/UcQnmHbgZb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2025
Bane is a great player, and could be one of those pieces, but giving away two players and four future first round draft picks is a great deal for the Grizzlies. Memphis will get the 16th pick in this month’s NBA Draft, a 2026 first round pick and unprotected first round picks in 2028 and 2030 while the pick swap is a top-two protected in 2029.
Making magic in Orlando
On top of those picks they will get Caldwell-Pope who is a lock down defender with two NBA titles under his belt with the LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets. The 32 year old will bring an immediate veteran presence and a “three and D” type player that can make a difference in the postseason. Anthony will give the Magic a little more depth off the bench. The youngster with an NBA legend for a father had a down year last year in Orlando, scoring 9.4 points, 3 rebounds and almost 3 assists.
The Magic know that this is a team that they can build into a contender in the Eastern Conference, and they wasted no time in looking for those pieces in the offseason. They have a base of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs and one of the most underrated coaches in the league in Jamhal Mosley.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's decision could hold up Durant trade, much of free agent market https://t.co/H87526iEbu #NBA #SchwartziesSports
— Schwartzies (@SchwartziesS) June 1, 2025
This is the first trade in what should be a busy offseason. We already saw some wild trades in the middle of the season when Jimmy Butler and Luka Doncic were dealt in the trade deadline. There are some big names floating around the trade market. None are bigger than Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant.
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