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Report: Grizzlies aren’t aiming to trade Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant amid Desmond Bane’s exit
Report: Grizzlies aren’t aiming to trade Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant amid Desmond Bane’s exit
No team heading into the 2025 NBA Offseason needed shooting more than the Orlando Magic, who were dead last in 3-point percentage last year.
That issue was remedied Sunday, acquiring sharpshooting guard Desmond Bane away from the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-player package headlined by five first-round picks, including four unprotected.
It was a haul for a player few expected to be dealt this summer. Despite Bane’s surprising exit, the Grizzlies are planning to keep their other two core pieces Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., who is eligible for a $147 million extension this offseason, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
“By trading Bane, long part of the core in Memphis with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., [general manager Chris Kleiman] is acting on those words,” Bontemps wrote Sunday evening. “But more star trades are not expected. Sources told ESPN that the Grizzlies are not looking to deal either of their two remaining franchise cornerstones. The team has spent the past several months clearing salary cap space to complete a renegotiation and extension of Jackson’s contract this offseason, preventing him from hitting free agency in 2026.
“The belief is that an extension will get done, sources said. But the Bane trade gives Memphis an avenue to give Jackson even more on that deal and lock him in long term.”
It would be smart to take calls if there are any legitimate offers, but it makes perfect sense why both of those names would stay put.
The Grizzlies are signaling belief in Jaylen Wells, a finalist for the Rookie of the Year award that went to San Antonio’s Stephon Castle, long-term. I think part of that is justified. Wells averaged 10.4 points on 35.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc as a rookie, though he was also one of the team’s best point-of-attack defenders.
Bane, who turns 27-years-old later this month, was one of the best shooters in the NBA over his five-year career while also improving as a playmaker. He is also owed $163 million over the next four seasons, and his departure helps clear some of Memphis’ books amid extensions coming up for Jaren Jackson, G.G. Jackson, Wells and Vince Williams, among others.
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