New Orlando Magic shooting guard Desmond Bane officially made the switch after being acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies on June 15. With this move he is the oldest player on the Magic’s roster. Bane, for one, is a hulking 6-foot-5 with unbelievable college stats. He provides much-needed veteran leadership to a very young team that desperately needs it. In his last season with Memphis, he averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 69 games, solidifying his status as a key contributor on both ends of the court.
Bane’s ascension in the NBA started as a young player the Grizzlies selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft. He suited up for 313 regular-season games and 27 postseason contests over his five seasons with Memphis. His team reached the playoffs in 2021, ’22, ’23 and ’25. Bane’s impact particularly stands out as a sharpshooter. Since entering the NBA he’s one of just three players who have made more than 800 threes and shot more than 40 percent from the field.
The deal that brought Bane to Orlando this offseason was no small trade. Memphis acquired guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, guard Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and one first-round pick swap in return for their star player. Even before the trade went down, Bane felt a shift coming. On Father’s Day, Wojnarowski heard, he got a strange Father’s Day note from Memphis general manager Zach Kleiman, suggesting that “change may be coming.”
Bane’s changes to the Magic have been seamless. Not only that, he’s put in a tremendous amount of effort to forge strong relationships with his new teammates. He showed up to training camp carrying gifts, an act that won him several fans among the ranks of the players almost immediately. His leadership skills were on full display during the team’s off-season in Las Vegas. He was very hands-on with the younger team members, helping them learn, grow and develop.
“But, man, it’s a young team, and they’re looking for a voice, looking for somebody to lead and push them. And I have a lot of those qualities, so I definitely feel respect there for sure.” – Desmond Bane
“That’s huge,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said of the potential addition of Bane, who would fit perfectly. In his remarks, Dunn highlighted that Bane’s expertise is irreplaceable. This is particularly important for a young, rebuilding squad that wants to become a contender long-term.
“He’s not some old guy. He’s still pretty young, but he’s experienced a lot in the league and he’s had playoff runs and been on great teams,” – Paolo Banchero
Banchero noted having a player like Bane that can keep others accountable and just show up every night to play is invaluable.
“You need somebody like that who can speak up, hold others accountable, hold myself accountable. And just somebody that you could depend on to show up every night and be a dog, be a competitor,” – Banchero
Even Bane himself knows the storm he may be unleashing. He understands that leaguewide hope during the preseason is a tale as old as time. He sees that it has to be undergirded by real effort and commitment.
“We throw that around all the time this time of year. Everybody thinks they’re going to be good. The work has to be put in. We’ve got a long way to go. A lot of growth,” – Desmond Bane
Even with the exciting promise ahead of him with his new franchise, Bane sometimes looks back at what might have been in Memphis. He credits his years with the Grizzlies as some of the most profound highs. Yet, he cannot escape the feeling of what might have been for him had he never left the organization in the first place.
“I feel like we never really got a chance to see what it would be like for a full season with our core and everybody healthy,” – Desmond Bane
The Orlando Magic are preparing for the quickly approaching 2023-24 season. Bane’s rare combination of skill and experience may be the key ingredient that makes them really pop! He relates almost without fail to the younger players and because he’s such a good leader, he leads by example. This has made him a pivotal part of the team’s plan for the future.
Banchero explained why Bane is exploring the minutiae with him, and why he fits so well into the team’s culture.
“It’s a great fit for who we are as a team. He adds what we’re missing, and he also adds to what we already have. It’s like the perfect match,” – Paolo Banchero
Desmond Bane, elated to begin this fresh chapter with the Orlando Magic. He’s personally motivated to improve his own performance on the court, but to help teach and develop a culture of accountability among his teammates. Fans are holding their breath with every step he takes. We can’t wait to see how this exciting mix of youth and experience plays out on the court during the upcoming NBA season.
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