NBA Teams Reportedly Feel Grizzlies Going in Wrong Direction with Desmond Bane Trade

The Memphis Grizzlies raised some eyebrows when they surprisingly traded shooting guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, and some reportedly feel the move indicates a murky future for the team.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported during Monday's episode of The Hoop Collective that the Grizzlies are now perceived as a team moving in the direction of a rebuild rather than contending for a title.

"Teams in the league watched this move and were like, this is an indication of going one way and not the other," Windhorst said at the 17:55 mark.

Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the Grizzlies acquired veteran wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, guard Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap in exchange for Bane. Sources reportedly told ESPN's Tim Bontemps that Memphis is "not looking to deal either of their two remaining franchise cornerstones, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr."

Still, it's hard not to wonder if the right offer could convince the Grizzlies to change their mind and move on from another star player.