Why Orlando Magic must be wary of Eastern Conference rivals after early move for Desmond Bane

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Why Orlando Magic must be wary of Eastern Conference rivals after early move for Desmond Bane

The Orlando Magic made the first blockbuster trade of the NBA offseason and are now poised to contend in the Eastern Conference, but it might not be enough.

On Sunday, the Orlando Magic agreed to a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, landing Desmond Bane in exchange for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four first-round picks, and a future pick swap.

While it seems to be a massive overpay, Bane adds some much-needed offense to the young Magic squad, who have been one of the worst shooting teams in the league in recent years.

The move seems poised to position Orlando to emerge as one of the better teams in a weak East, although there is plenty of time for other contenders to play catch-up.

Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images

Heading into next season, the Milwaukee Bucks, with Damian Lillard injured, and the Boston Celtics, with Jayson Tatum hurt, are both expected to take a step back.

Depending on who the New York Knicks hire as the head coach, they could also go backwards.

That leaves the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, and Cleveland Cavaliers among the teams who finished ahead of them in the standings. 

The Pacers are still competing in the Finals, and they are largely expected to run things back with the same roster next season. Whereas the Pistons and Cavs appear likely to make some moves.

For now, Orlando is comfortably a top-five team in the East, and they will benefit from having an entire offseason with Bane in town, allowing him to seamlessly fit into the offense at the start of next season.

However, the assumption that the Magic can contend hinges on a very unlikely reality: Being the only team to make a significant trade.

Orlando Magic forwards Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images

With the exception of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who could very well be traded this summer, there is a case to be made that all of the top ten players in the league are in the Western Conference.

Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard are all elite players in the West, and the East is wide open.

With minimal effort, teams like the Toronto Raptors or Atlanta Hawks could emerge as playoff threats, and the Knicks, Pistons, and Cavs could also bolster their rosters this summer.

With the East more open than ever before, the Magic won’t be the only team to make a splashy move.

As things stand right now, Orlando is poised to go on a deep playoff run, but expect this offseason to be chaotic, and for them to have to match up with several new and improved rosters next year.

The Magic gave up assets for Bane as if they have no doubt that he will be enough, but he might not be.

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