Mar 17, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) talks with forward Brandon Clarke (15) during a timeout during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

'I Just Want to Come In and be the Glue' – Orlando Magic’s Desmond Bane Defines His New Role With the Team

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 20, 2025 12:15 AM ET

This summer, the Orlando Magic made the bold move of acquiring Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony (now with the Milwaukee Bucks), and a bunch of draft picks.

Bane recently reiterated that he is pumped about the move. The 27-year-old guard swingman vowed to do everything in his power to help the Orlando Magic reach another level, starting this upcoming season.

“I don’t think that there is any limit to put on what this team can do,” Bane told The Athletic’s Josh Robbins. “I mean, we are a new team, adding some new pieces and things like that. But we have a very good roster in place, a lot of guys that can do a lot of different things. So it’s very exciting from that standpoint.”

Mar 25, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) keeps the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

“I just want to come in and be the glue, the guy that brings this whole thing together, kind of rounds out some of the gaps that they may have had in their team,” he continued.

Orlando Magic News: Desmond Bane recalls fan experience during car breakdown moment

In the same article, Desmond Bane shared that his car broke down on the side of an Orlando highway. During the ordeal, he said that several Orlando Magic fans showed love as he waited for help to come.

Nov 29, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) drives to the basket as Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

“I haven’t been to the grocery store yet, honestly,” the Orlando Magic guard recounted. “But my car broke down on the side of the road today on the highway. There was a decent amount of people screaming my name outside the window. So I think that it’s safe to say that Orlando fans are excited.”

“I think it just starts with our work,” he added. “We’ve got to understand what it is that we’re trying to accomplish and work towards that and work like that. There’s no shortcuts to it… But with the team that we have, it’s just going to come down to how committed we are.”