Cram
Earlier this week

NBA Off Season 2025

The 2024-25 season isn't finished yet and the first big trade of the 2025 off season has happened.

Desmond Bane to the Magic for KCP, Cole and a LOT of picks

https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/45517668/sources-grizzlies-trade-desmond-bane-magic-blockbuster-deal

I think its the right move for the Magic in terms of getting another All-Star fringe type guy at their most desperate position of need, but damn its a lot of picks for a guy who is likely your third best player. Its reminiscent of the Bridges to Knicks deal. That left them very good, but little room to take that next step outside of internal growth.

Magic have a really good core now: Bancherro, Franz, Suggs and Bane all under 27.

They've also got some good depth at bigs with Isaac, Goga and Carter. I think last year's pick Da Silva is going to be a good player, but might struggle to get a lot of time in this group. And they probably need a leap out of one of Howard and Black.

The team is young enough that they can realistically improve from what they've got, but growth is not always a given.

Should be able to snag a top 4 in the east though.

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word14
Earlier this week

This may be a trade that ultimately benefits both teams

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The Phantom
Earlier this week

Looks like Memphis is tearing it down, Ja should be next, but might keep JJJ as a building block. So would be looking at a lot of picks for Ja as well and try and copycat OKC. But with Ja's off court issues, I can't see them getting as much as Bane.
Very good fit for Orlando, but that's a lot of draft picks. And could flip Kcp for more. Can see it for someone like Giannis, but Desmond Bane??? Although they need shooting, could they have gotten Giannis for those picks and Wagner? Even KD could have been a rental for much less and had a shot at winning the east.
With Tatum going down and a firesale on some other players, most eastern teams will be loading up, but if very good role players are going for these many picks, what will superstars be attracting.

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Cram
Earlier this week

I dont think Wagner and those picks is getting Giannis. Plus I dont think Giannis is going anywhere.

Bane is a much better fit (both long term and short term) with Paulo and Wagner than KD would be. I think they're looking at this as their core to build around (with Suggs). And you don't have to get KDs regular drama.

It is a lot of picks, but they should all be in the 20+ range except for this year and next year (next year's one is super complicated)

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Cram
Earlier this week

Pacers have made a trade while in the NBA finals.

https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/45531729/sources-pacers-trading-no-23-overall-draft-pick-pelicans

Pacers dealt this year's pick (23) along with Mojave King to New Orleans for the Pacers own pick in 2026.

Its an interesting move though next year's pick will be in a similar range, they maybe don't see any room for a first rounder on next years roster.

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word14
Earlier this week

any chance Pelicans decided to play King?

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word14
Earlier this week

*decide

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Zodiac
Earlier this week

The pels will be doing a bit of training camp in Australia so should bring him and take a look at him. He's not NBA standard talent wise but he's big, versatile and athletic and NBA scouts have a hard on for players like that.

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Hoops

NBA Off Season 2025

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