The Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies made the first major trade of the NBA offseason, and it stands to shake up the entire league.
On Sunday, the Orlando Magic agreed to send Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round picks, and a pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies for sharpshooter Desmond Bane, rounding out their backcourt with the hopes of winning the Eastern Conference as quickly as next season.
As with every trade since February 2, it was immediately compared to the infamous deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Is KCP, Anthony, and up to five picks a better haul than Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a single pick? Most NBA fans seem to think so, and months after the Doncic trade, Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison found himself the subject of mockery once again.
Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty ImagesFans slam Nico Harrison after Magic/Grizzlies trade
After the Doncic trade, fans around the league, not just those loyal to the Mavericks, were in shock.
Dallasites were anguished, NBA fans were appalled that a deal was approved, and even Lakers fans were shocked that they got away with highway robbery. Every trade since then has been compared to the Doncic deal, and the Bane-to-Orlando trade is no exception.
“It’s so cool that the NBA now has a precedent that for any trade, no matter who it is or for what, will make Nico Harrison look like a f****** idiot,” posted a fan.
“Nico Harrison deserves jail time for the haul he got back for 77,” added another.
Since the Doncic trade, stars like De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, and even Kyle Kuzma were traded, and Harrison was dragged after each one.
“Every trade since the deadline, I am reminded that Nico Harrison is an absolute moron,” accused another on social media.
Did the Grizzlies get a better haul for Bane than the Mavericks got for Doncic, a much better player? The consensus leans towards yes.
“Not even trying to be hyperbolic, but there’s a serious argument Memphis got a better return for dealing Desmond Bane than Nico Harrison did trading Luka,” summed up a fan.
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty ImagesOrlando and Dallas’ positions are telling
Heading into next season, the Mavericks will boast a solid rotation of Davis, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II, and Kyrie Irving could return from injury before the playoffs.
However, in a loaded Western Conference, there is no guarantee that even a healthy Mavs’ roster will be able to compete.
In the weaker East, Bane, Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, Franz and Mo Wagner, Wendell Carter, Anthony Black, and Goga Bitadze bring enough depth, defense, and versatile scorers to compete in the conference.
The only teams ahead of them will likely be the Cavs, Knicks, Pistons, Pacers, and maybe Celtics, and the Magic boast enough depth and physicality to compete with any of them in a seven-game series.
While betting odds haven’t been released yet, the Magic are expected to have a better shot of making the Finals than the Mavericks, undercutting Harrison’s sole reason for trading Doncic.