Former Memphis Grizzlies star guard was traded to the Orlando Magic in a move that hardly anyone saw coming.
Desmond Bane is expected to be the final piece for the Orlando Magic to make a push for an NBA Championship in the coming years.
Although the Magic paid a massive price to the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire Bane, it will be worth it if he can help win a title.
Either way, even before getting traded to the Magic, Bane was an admirer of the franchise for one reason – their training center.
Photo by Justin Ford/Getty ImagesDesmond Bane urged the Memphis Grizzlies to build a training facility like the Orlando Magic
Having access to amazing training equipment is key to preparing players for dominating on the hardwood.
Knowing that, the Magic took a step in the right direction as they unveiled the state-of-the-art AdventHealth training center during the 2022-23 NBA season.
Upon seeing the amazing training center, Bane was mesmerized as the then-Grizzlies guard urged the organization to invest in similar infrastructure.
“This [is] what we need!” Bane tweeted in 2022.
Well, the Grizzlies may not have fulfilled Bane’s request, but they did trade him to the Magic, as the talented guard will be a member of Orlando for the 2025-26 NBA season.
Desmond Bane takes ‘dungeon’ jab at Memphis Grizzlies after praising Orlando Magic training center
Even though former NBA star Gilbert Arenas called the Magic dumb for making the blockbuster move for Bane, the soon-to-be 27-year-old was all smiles during his introductory press conference.
During the presser, Bane also shared his unfiltered response to seeing the AdventHealth training center while simultaneously taking a shot at the Grizzlies.
“This facility is different; the one in Memphis didn’t have one window… we called it the Dungeon. This is a breath of fresh air, you can literally just step outside and get a breath of fresh air,” Bane said.
“…The people [are] what’s really going to make this place special,” the new Magic guard claimed.
Well, with Bane finally getting a chance to train at the AdventHealth center, it will be interesting to see if he can average more than his 2024-25 NBA season stats.
Bane contributed 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game to the Grizzlies in his final season with the team.