Ja Morant 'Shocked' by Desmond Bane Trade, Thought It 'Was Fake' Magic-Grizzlies Deal

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant was initially in disbelief to learn the team was trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.

"I was shocked, personally," he said to Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "I got the message from Des. To see it all over the internet, I thought the (expletive) was fake, honestly."

Morant had a pragmatic assessment of the deal, though.

"It's best for both sides," he said. "Des is going to a very talented Orlando team. I feel like he's the piece that they've been missing."

While Bane doesn't necessarily qualify as a major star, his move to the Magic was the first blockbuster of the offseason. Orlando gave up four first-round picks and a 2029 pick swap, which was an aggressive play from the front office.

The Grizzlies also got back guards Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, though ESPN's Shams Charania reported Saturday that Anthony has already arranged a buyout.

That underlines how the draft capital was the draw for Memphis, and the team generally received high marks for getting so much in return for a player who has yet to make an All-Star team.

Bane's exit prompted people to wonder whether Morant could be the next Grizzlies player out the door. Perhaps the organization decided a complete rebuild is in store after losing in the first round of the playoffs for the third time in five years.

But a franchise pivoting toward a transitional phase probably doesn't agree to a massive five-year, $240 million extension with Jaren Jackson Jr. Based on Morant's comments, the Bane trade wasn't something that has him questioning his future, either.

It's safe to assume general manager Zach Kleiman laid out a vision for the future to both Morant and Jackson as they're now the two clear cornerstones for the Grizzlies.