The Magic seem to sense a big opportunity in the Eastern Conference, and they’re pushing their chips in.
Orlando is acquiring standout Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and a first-round pick swap, according to multiple reports.
That includes the No. 16 overall pick in this year’s draft, per The Athletic.
Bane, who turns 27 later this month, averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 69 games for Memphis this season, shooting 48.4 percent from the field, including 39.2 percent from deep.
Over his last four seasons as a full-time starter, Bane has averaged 20.2 points, 5 rebounds and 4.3 assists and is a strong two-way player.
Bane signed a five-year, $207 million max contract extension two summers ago and has four years remaining on his deal.
With a strong young nucleus featuring Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, the Magic — who as the No. 7 seed lost to the Celtics in five games in the first round — are poised to make a leap in a wide-open East next season that will see Boston compete without Jayson Tatum, who could miss the entire season after tearing his Achilles against the Knicks in the second round.
The Magic are paying a heavy price for Bane, though they’ll be pleased to rid themselves of the rest of Caldwell-Pope’s contract, as the wing — a strong defender — averaged the fewest points (8.7) since his rookie year.
He has two years left on a three-year, $66 million contract that he signed with Orlando last summer, the final year of which is a player option.
Caldwell-Pope, 32, does have two championship rings, one with the Lakers and another with the Nuggets.
Anthony, the 25-year-old who played high school ball at Archbishop Molloy in Queens, averaged 9.4 points, 3 rebounds and 2.9 assists this season in a reserve role.
The former first-round pick is entering the second season of a three-year, $39 million contract which carries a club option for 2026-27.
The Grizzlies were swept by the top-seeded Thunder in the first round after firing head coach Taylor Jenkins shortly before the playoffs.
