Magic
Desmond Bane didn’t need much convincing.
Traded to the Magic in the summer’s first deal, the high-scoring guard called Orlando a “perfect fit” and said he’s ready to help lift the franchise into Eastern Conference contention.
“It’s time to win,” Bane told reporters, including Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. “It’s pretty much as simple as that.”
The Grizzlies sent Bane to Orlando in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and a first-round pick swap — a sizable haul that shows how highly the Magic view their newest addition.
“Not to say those picks weren’t valuable,” Bane added, “but they would have fallen in place that — we’ve got a lot of young talent here already in the building, and we have a lot of talent at the top of the roster. So I think it’s perfect for the organization to do what they did.”
Bane, 26, averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists last season, while shooting 39.2% from beyond the arc. He is expected to start alongside Jalen Suggs in the Magic backcourt, joining a core that features Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
“I’ve gotten a chance to play against them — not a ton coming from the Western Conference — but it was always tough to put the ball in the basket against them,” Bane said. “They guard, and I’ll fit right into what they’re trying to do on that end.”
His agent asked after the Grizzlies’ season where he’d want to go if traded. “I promise you, Orlando was right at the top of the list,” Bane said. “It’s a perfect fit.”
When Memphis GM Zach Kleiman called to break the news, Bane admitted: “My heart sank… but once he said Orlando, I was smiling through the phone.”
Pistons
While the Magic made a bold move to acquire Bane, the Pistons appear to be taking a more measured approach.
According to the Detroit Free Press’ Omari Sankofa II, Detroit’s front office is expected to remain patient, leaning on player development rather than swinging for a major trade, at least for now.
Unlike Orlando, which has already locked up multiple players to big-money extensions, the Pistons still have financial flexibility. Outside of Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart, Detroit has yet to hand out large deals to its young core.
That flexibility, Sankofa notes, gives the team more time to evaluate internal growth before committing to a major roster move.
Still, the Pistons could be active on a smaller scale.
Having sent their first-round pick to Minnesota, they’re exploring options to trade back into the first round, with an arsenal of 14 future second-rounders at their disposal. Several teams — including the Nets, Thunder and Magic — hold late first-round picks and could be open to a deal.
Bulls
Forward Matas Buzelis is already making a strong impression on his Bulls teammates.
Buzelis joined several members of the team in Los Angeles earlier this month for offseason workouts and scrimmages. According to guard Ayo Dosunmu, the 6-foot-10 rookie is starting to show the physical tools and mentality to make an immediate impact.
“Matas is a hard worker, a tremendous worker,” Dosunmu told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “He loves the work. I have high praises for him, high expectations for him.”
Entering his first NBA offseason, Buzelis is already drawing lofty comparisons based on his size, skill, and effort level.
“I’m seeing him in person, him getting stronger,” Dosunmu added. “He’s starting to realize how strong he is and how he’s able to dominate.”
While careful to acknowledge the gap between promise and greatness, Dosunmu didn’t shy away from drawing inspiration from one of the NBA’s most dominant players.
“I know (Giannis Antetokounmpo) is a Hall of Famer, top 20, top 30 player (all time), but Matas has a chance to really dominate the game like that,” he said. “Because he’s 6-10, 6-11, and as he continues to get stronger, continues to get in the weight room, he’s only going to get bigger.”
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