The Orlando Magic rocked the player market when they traded for Desmond Bane. However, Draymond Green has noted that Bane was not the Magic’s first choice before the trade happened.
With his status as one of the league’s premier three-point shooters, Desmond Bane was a hot commodity. The Orlando Magic immediately pounced on a trade that involved four first-round picks and one first-round pick swap.
It might sound outrageous at first, especially with the fiery reactions to the trade. That excludes the Phoenix Suns’ 2026 first-round pick, which could be significant due to the Suns’ struggles. However, it is worth it because the Magic finally have the shooter they’ve needed for a while.
Despite the perfect fit alongside the Magic, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green feels Bane was not their first choice.
Based on Orlando’s issues in the 2024-25 season, they had two primary problems. The first was perimeter shooting, as they had the league’s worst shooting percentage at 31.8%. Their second issue was their reliable ball-handling and playmaking from a lead guard.
Most of the time, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs carried the responsibilities of being playmakers. Wagner and Suggs likely impressed the Magic front office enough to look for a shooter. Anthony Black would have played a role here, as he is an underrated player for Orlando.
They pulled the trigger on the trade, which many felt was too much, but Bane thinks otherwise. However, Green felt looking for a point guard was the priority for Orlando.
“I don’t know this to be factual; this is just my guess. My guess is they’ve been looking for a point guard,” Green said on the Draymond Green show.
“My guess is they called on Ja and Memphis somehow… formed it, curved the ball back. And it was Desmond Bane back in the trade.”
“What the move signals to me is that they believe in those guys. They want to try and go for it with those guys, and also that they believe the league is wide open.”
“I just don’t know if that’s the shot I would have taken with four first-round picks. Respect anybody who is willing to go for it.”
Bane is a career 41% three-point shooter on 6.3 attempts per game for the Memphis Grizzlies. That proves he is elite, especially since he can shoot both as a spot-up shooter and off the dribble. The Magic have unlocked a new part of their offense with Bane as another scoring option.
Before the trade, the rumor was that Orlando was trading for Portland Trail Blazers guard and Orlando native Anfernee Simons. He would have solved the point guard and shooting issues Green pointed out. However, that did not happen, as they went for Bane.
Defense matters with this trade, as Bane is a much better defender than Simons. Suggs would have had heavy responsibilities if he had to play the shooting guard alongside a mediocre defender.
With a starting lineup of Suggs, Bane, Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr., the Magic are strong. They should be ready to compete at the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics are dealing with injuries, so the Magic will want to capitalize on the opportunity.
