The NBA world was sent reeling on Sunday, with the first major trade of an offseason that hasn't even officially begun yet. The Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies of all teams constructing a deal that sends Desmond Bane to Florida for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a whopping four first-round picks.
Yes, you read that correctly. There's also a pick swap in there, in what is a massive haul of draft capital in exchange for a player who is about as close as you can get to All-Star production without ever actually being on. Suddenly New York Knicks fans can rest easy knowing they gave up first firsts to acquire Mikal Bridges.
Four firsts surely changes the conversation around Kevin Durant.
Durant of course is going to be moved by the Suns in the coming days, but what the Grizzlies were able to get for Bane should have Phoenix feeling bullish about what they could now get for one of the best offensive players of all-time. Durant might have seemingly whittled his list of preferred destinations down to three teams, but that doesn't mean the Suns are going to go along with that.
Sources: Kevin Durant prefers to land with the Heat, Rockets, Spurs, as three teams he would commit with long term - ESPN: https://t.co/oxWEuJJU5Q
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2025
These playoffs have also shown that Durant could be the missing piece for several teams - such as the Houston Rockets - with how he is able to get a bucket when the game slows down. If two teams are desperate enough to want to add him to their core - with the knowledge that he will be eligible for an extension as he enters the final year of his current deal as well - a bidding war could break out.
What Bane has that Durant does not unfortunately is both youth and a long-term contract on his side. Bane is still only 26-years-old - a full decade younger than Durant - and so slots in perfectly with the timeline of the ascending Magic. He's also a career 41 percent 3-point shooter and has been one of the premiere long-range marksmen across the last three seasons in particular.
Durant has played a lot longer of course, and sits at 39 percent on his own career. They're obviously vastly different players - and Durant as a defender is still better than he's given credit for - but Bane is a legitimate two-way menace at this point in his career. When rivals come knocking and aren't willing to part with nearly as much as the Grizzlies just received, these are the points that will be mentioned.
Really though this is still a win for the Suns because it is the first - and hugely unexpected - domino to fall in what is going to be a busy offseason. Bane is off the board when many likely didn't even know he was available - and with chatter around Giannis Antetokounmpo quietening for now - Durant has never looked so appealing. Worth four firsts though? Strangers things have happened.