What Is Next For Orlando Magic After Trading For Sharpshooting Guard?

Bettors might find the Orlando Magic's acquisition of Desmond Bane to substantially impact their odds, as his addition addresses their three-point shooting struggles and offensive needs, potentially leading to an improved season. This move makes the Magic more competitive in the Eastern Conference, suggesting favorable betting outcomes for their upcoming games.

The Orlando Magic acquired their perceived target in their pending trade for Desmond Bane but at a high cost to their future. How does Bane fit with Orlando’s two young studs, and what is next for the Magic?

“The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope , Cole Anthony , four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap, sources tell ESPN,” per ESPN’s Shams Charania . The Magic will send the Grizzlies the No. 16 pick in the upcoming 2025 draft. They also are giving up a first-round pick in 2026 (via either Phoenix or Washington ), a first-round pick in 2028, the swap rights to a first-round draft pick in 2029 (top two protected), and a first-round draft pick in 2030.

What Is Next For Orlando Magic After Trading For Sharpshooting Guard

“We are very thrilled to welcome Desmond (Bane) to the Orlando Magic family,” Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said in a statement after the trade became official . “Over his five years in the NBA, Desmond has distinguished himself as one of the elite guards in our league, and we look forward to his shooting, IQ, and wide-ranging skill set in helping our team take a step forward.

Orlando is coming off a disappointing season in 2024-25, in part because the Magic couldn’t stay healthy. Still, the Magic reached the playoffs for the second consecutive season, marking their second time doing so since the early 2010s. Last year, Orlando was the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference and took the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers to the brink of their first-round series. However, the Magic didn’t have enough offensive firepower to make the Boston Celtics sweat too much in their first-round series this past season.

While the Celtics won the series in five games, the Magic was highly competitive in all five contests, at least for the first half. Orlando averaged just 93.5 points in its first-round series against Boston, as the Magic shot only 42.5% from the field, which was the second-worst percentage in the playoffs. The Magic, the worst 3-point shooting team in the league, connected on eight three-pointers a contest at a 26.3% clip.

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner were terrific during the playoffs. Meanwhile, Wendell Carter Jr. was the only other Magic player to average in double-figures. Orlando’s backcourt struggled mightily against Boston. In six games, including one Play-In Tournament contest, Orlando’s guards combined to average 27.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. The Magic’s backcourt also knocked down just 3.5 threes a game while shooting 39.5/26.4/75.9.

How Does Desmond Bane Fit In With The Magic?

Bane immediately fills a critical need for the Magic, specifically their lack of three-point shooting. Bane is one of the best shooting guards in the game today, compiling a .566 effective field-goal percentage, which ranks 38th in the league. He is a career 47.2% shooter from the field and makes 2.6 threes a contest at 41%.

Bane is much more than a 3-point marksman. The 26-year-old is a “bucket-getter” who can create for himself and others. Despite not possessing elite athleticism, he is an excellent and creative finisher at and around the rim. He is a player who isn’t afraid to “get dirty” and is also a quality rebounder as well as an outstanding defender. Bane has been one of the most consistent scorers in the league over the last four seasons. He averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals this past season. He finished the year with six games of 30 or more points and shooting splits of 48.5/39.2/89.4, 10 double-doubles, along with a triple-double.

Desmond Bane’s Role With The Magic

Bane takes the place of Caldwell-Pope, who struggled this season for the Magic, in the starting lineup. He projects to slot alongside Jalen Suggs , giving Orlando one of the best two-way backcourts in the league. Suggs, one of the preeminent perimeter defenders in the league, was in the process of a career season before suffering a season quad injury.

In review, not only does Bane give Orlando a reliable three-point shooter, but he also provides the Magic with a reliable third-scorer who can take over the game offensively when Wagner and Banchero are having an off-night. While Bane is better suited to play on the wing, he is a good enough ball-handler and playmaker to share point-guard duties with Suggs. Suggs has struggled as a lead guard and has a healthy below-average 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio. Meanwhile, Bane’s career-to-assist ratio is 2-to-1.

Bane is now under contract with the Magic for the next four seasons. He will earn $36.7 million in the 2025-26 season, with a salary increase of approximately $2.5 million in each of the following three seasons.

Orlando’s Financials and What Is Next

According to NBA cap expert Yossi Gozlan, unlike most pre-July one deals, the trade between the Magic and Grizzlies was able to be processed immediately. “This trade can be processed now,” Gozlan tweeted. “Because the Magic project to be over the $195.9 million first apron in 2025-26, they must do a 100% salary match. They’re now hard capped to $207.8 million second apron.”

Orlando has 14 players under contract, with a salary cap hit of $201.7 million for the 2024-25 season. The Magic have considerable flexibility, with Gary Harris ($7.5 million), Cory Joseph ($3.4 million), Caleb Houstan ($2.1 million), and Moritz Wagner ($11 million) holding team options. As Gozlan noted, the Magic can get below the NBA luxury tax by waiving Harris and Wagner. If Orlando does not exercise the team options on Harris and Wagner as I expect, the major will have 12 players and about $183.2 million on the books. The Magic could get to $177.2 million if they don’t exercise the options on Joseph and Houstan. It would be surprising if Magic exercised Joseph’s option. However, since Houstan is slated to make just $2.1 million in the coming season, the Magic may decide that it is worth keeping him around. Houstan has been a part-time rotational player for Orlando in his three seasons since being a second-round selection. The 22-year-old wing had his best season shooting the ball in 2024-25, knocking down 42.1% of his and 40.0% of his attempts from the 3-point line. He picked up his production post-All-Star break, averaging 6.2 points with shooting splits of 54.1/50.7/81.8 over his final 21 appearances.

Orlando has three draft picks in the 2025 draft. The Magic own the No. 25 pick, the No. 45 pick, and No. 57.

What Is Next For The Magic

Assuming Orlando does not exercise Harris, Wagner, or Joseph’s options, the Magic will go into free agency with 12 players on their books. Therefore, the Magic salary cap hit would be about $181.6 million for these 12 players, including Houstan and the No. 25 pick in 2025. Orlando’s starting lineup is set with Suggs, Bane, Wagner, Banchero and Carter. Jonathan Isaac , Anthony Black , and Tristan Da Silva figure to anchor coach Jamahl Mosley’s second unit. Thus, leaving Goga Bitadze , the No. 25 pick, Jett Howard , and Houstan along with free agents to battle for playing time. Orlando also has one of their three two-way spots filled with Ethan Thompson. The Magic’s other two-way players, Mac McClung and Trevlin Queen , are restricted free agents. I’m not sure if McClung is eligible for another three-way deal, as he has three years of NBA service. Meanwhile, Queen doesn’t figure to have any eligibility as a two-way player, given that he has four years of service.

Roster and Draft Decisions

It wouldn’t surprise me if Orlando signs either McClung or Queen to a non-guaranteed minimum standard contract, as both players have proven to be too good for the G League. If it comes down to those for the Magic’s 15th spot, Queen will likely get it with McClung returning on a two-way deal — if eligible. Therefore leaving a two-way spot or two for the Magic’s second-round picks.

Speaking of the NBA Draft, Orlando could use the No. 25 pick on a point guard or an offensive-minded big man. However, the Magic’s most pressing need is to add offensive punch to their second unit. Therefore, Florida’s Walter Clayton (Florida) makes a lot of sense. In addition, the Magic also need to add depth on the wings. Orlando figures to need to sign two or three free agents. By my calculations, the Magic figure is approximately $6 million below the tax line and $14 million below the first apron. I do expect the Magic to bring Moe Wagner back, even if they don’t exercise his team option. Wagner underwent surgery for his torn ACL in January and may not be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Orlando also will likely work out an extension for Banchero this summer. Gozlan predicts that the Banchero will receive a maximum extension with a value of $42.5-$51 million per year. With the extension, Gozlan noted that the Magic would have four players making over $37.5 million starting in the 2025-26 season — Banchero, Franz Wagner, Bane, and Suggs.

Future Years

Orlando Magic 2026-27 payroll projection if Paolo Banchero gets a maximum extension and hits the criteria for the higher salary worth 30 percent of the salary cap. They could lower their penalty and get below the second apron by moving off some mid-level salaried players.

“The Magic aren’t only investing in draft equity. It’s a major investment in their payroll and beyond,” Gozlan tweeted . “Orlando Magic 2026-27 payroll projection if Paolo Banchero gets a maximum extension and hits the criteria for the higher salary worth 30 percent of the salary cap. They could lower their penalty and get below the second apron by moving off some mid-level salaried players.”

Orlando currently doesn’t have a first-round draft pick in 2026, 2028, or 2030. However, the Magic could get some draft capital and cut their future tax bill by trading Isaac, Bitadze, or Carter. The Magic have already said that they are willing to deal with Isaac.

The Orlando Magic acquired their perceived target in their pending trade for Desmond Bane but at a high cost to their future. How does Bane fit with Orlando’s two young studs, and what is next for the Magic?

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