The Orlando Magic are feeling pretty good about their decision to bring Desmond Bane on board. While he hasn't quite hit the mark as a high-volume 3-point shooter, Bane has exceeded expectations in just about every other area.
This trade has been a solid win for the Magic, coming at just the right time in their development. It was a bold move that signaled the team's intent to compete at a higher level. Fans have even joked about sending more picks to the Memphis Grizzlies due to Bane's impressive performance.
However, there's a twist. With the Magic barely holding onto a Play-In spot amid a late-season slump, there's a real chance they might miss the Playoffs. That would be a tough pill to swallow, especially since their draft pick could end up being quite valuable in a highly touted draft class.
The Desmond Bane trade seems to be a win-win for both teams, though Orlando's struggles have certainly boosted Memphis' side of the deal.
Early Returns
In today's NBA, rebuilding teams often look to contenders to snag as many draft picks as possible for even their role players. Just look at the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets, who landed multiple first-round picks in trades involving Rudy Gobert and Mikal Bridges, respectively.
The Magic gave up a hefty price for Bane-four first-round picks and a pick swap-but for a team desperate for shooting and a spark after a tough 2025 season, it was a sensible gamble. And Bane has delivered, averaging 20.3 points per game and shooting 39.0 percent from beyond the arc. Injuries to key players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have forced Bane into a larger role, which he's handled admirably.
With 12 games scoring 30 or more points, including two standout performances without hitting a three, Bane has been a vital veteran presence. It's hard to envision the Magic's season without him.
On the flip side, the veteran players Memphis received didn’t quite pan out. Cole Anthony was waived quickly, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has struggled, averaging just 8.4 points per game.
The real prize for Memphis was the draft capital, setting them up for a rebuild. Trading Jaren Jackson Jr. before the deadline was part of that strategy.
Using their picks, the Grizzlies moved up to draft Cedric Coward, who’s had a promising rookie season, averaging 13.3 points per game. A second Lottery pick would be a bonus for them.
The Lottery Odds
Currently, the Magic's draft pick is projected to land at No. 16, with the team sitting in the 8-seed. But things could change quickly depending on how the season wraps up.
The Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets are nipping at their heels, holding the 13th and 14th Lottery spots. They have slim chances of winning the top pick, but as the Dallas Mavericks showed last year, Lottery luck can be unpredictable.
Magic fans are understandably anxious about the potential for disaster if the Grizzlies snag a superstar with Orlando's pick. Meanwhile, Memphis' own pick is in a strong position, with a decent chance of landing in the top four.
Ultimately, the Magic can only control their performance on the court. Winning games is their best bet to avoid this scenario and secure a Playoff spot.