Memphis Grizzlies Drop Crucial Jaylen Wells Update After Scary Fall in 124-100 Win Vs. Charlotte Hornets 6 Dec 23, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7), forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), guard Ja Morant (12), guard Desmond Bane (22), and forward Jaylen Wells (0) huddle during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

'I Thought it Was Fake' – Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Gets 100% Real on the Desmond Bane Trade

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 8:36 AM ET

Just like most NBA fans, Ja Morant was also shocked when he heard that the Memphis Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope , Cole Anthony (who will reportedly go to the Milwaukee Bucks after securing a buyout), and several future draft picks last month.

Morant said that while he’ll miss having Bane as a teammate, looking at the bigger picture, he believes this was a win-win trade for the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic.

“I was shocked, personally,” Morant said via Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “I got the message from Des. To see it all over the internet, I thought the (expletive) was fake, honestly.

Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant Drops 4-Word Response to Probe Reports After Controversial Gun Gesture Vs. Golden State Warriors 4 Apr 1, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts toward Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) after a basket during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

“It’s best for both sides. Des is going to a very talented Orlando team. I feel like he’s the piece that they’ve been missing,” he added.

Memphis Grizzlies News: Ja Morant raves about the team’s newest offseason additions

The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the busiest teams this offseason, and Ja Morant likes their newest additions. Besides acquiring Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the team also brought in Ty Jerome and Jock Landale while re-signing Santi Aldama, Jaren Jackson Jr. , and Cam Spencer to new multi-year contracts.

Nov 8, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) holds up his crutches as he celebrates with fans after a game against the Washington Wizards at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

“I felt like for us, having him be that vet around is definitely big-time for us,” Morant said about Caldwell-Pope. “Everybody knows what he does on the defensive end. For our young guys who are trying to push themselves to be that guy as well, they got a perfect vet to learn from.”

“Definitely another solid guard for us,” Morant said about Jerome. “Everybody seen what he done for a great Cleveland team this year. I honestly felt like he was a big piece of that team. To have him, we adding another ballhandler that can not only create for himself but for everybody else.”