Behind every major trade is a longer story, and in the case of Desmond Bane’s arrival in Orlando, the Magic front office had been monitoring the opportunity long before this summer.
According to team president Jeff Weltman, Bane was high on the team’s radar even before he was available.
“We valued him very highly for a while,” Weltman revealed. “There are few guys in the league that if they become available, you’re going to be aggressive.”
Bane, a rising star with Memphis and one of the NBA’s most efficient scoring guards, wasn’t expected to be available initially.
But circumstances change quickly in today’s NBA, and when the Magic sensed an opportunity, they pounced.
“When I stood here after the season, I honestly didn’t expect him to be available in these conversations,” Weltman admitted. “But when we learned about that as we did our laps around the league, we shifted gears and made it a priority for us.”
At 26, Bane strikes the perfect balance for Orlando’s roster: young enough to grow alongside rising stars like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but experienced enough to provide leadership and stability in high-pressure moments.
He’s also under contract through 2029, giving Orlando both short- and long-term value.
The move reflects a strategic evolution for the Magic – from patient builders to opportunistic competitors. And in Desmond Bane, they may have found a player who bridges both identities.
Magic 'Very Highly Valued' Desmond Bane For A While https://t.co/ASrj7x9W93
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 17, 2025
