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Why the Magic did not overpay for Desmond Bane
Desmond Bane. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Why the Magic did not overpay for Desmond Bane

No, the Orlando Magic did not overpay for Desmond Bane. 

Not when you consider what the Timberwolves and Knicks gave up for Rudy Gobert and Mikal Bridges, respectively. 

Bane, a 26-year-old sniper, is arguably a better player than Gobert and Bridges, and fills a desperate void for a Magic team that ranked last in the league in three-pointers made over the previous two seasons. 

Since entering the league in 2020-21, Bane has drained 812 threes at 41 percent shooting, making him one of only three players to shoot as efficiently from long range. Furthermore, he's improved leaps and bounds as a playmaker and ball-handler, averaging 5.0 assists per game over the last three seasons. 

Bane has proven that he is more than just a catch-and-shoot player; he is also capable of running an offense when needed.

The Ringer's Bill Simmons also believes the Magic did not overpay for Bane and that the guard would fit nicely beside Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, especially from a defensive standpoint. Simmons felt that Bane's ability to play perimeter defense is an added incentive for a Magic team that already excels defensively.  

"Bane fits with Suggs, Paolo and Franz — that's a foursome that makes sense from an intensity and chippiness [standpoint], "Simmons said on his podcast. "...Bane just seems perfect for them. I love this trade. I also thought there was more playmaking from him last year than I thought he had in him. When you're five assists a game, that's not nothing."

As part of the deal, the Grizzlies receive the Magic's 2025 first-round pick (16th overall), followed by first-round picks in 2026, 2028 and 2030, along with a pick swap in 2029 (top-two protected). With the Magic expected to be a perennial playoff team over the next five years, it's unlikely that the Grizzlies will ever receive a lottery pick from them.

The Timberwolves and Knicks similarly gave up a slew of future first-round picks due to the assurance of knowing they're a perennial playoff team. All things considered, the Magic did not overpay for Bane.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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