The Memphis Grizzlies shook up the NBA landscape with a blockbuster trade, sending Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.
In return, Memphis acquired guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, along with four unprotected first-round picks and a first-round pick swap. The deal not only marks a major reset but also opens the door for a possible contract extension for star forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
With the roster in flux, the Grizzlies are clearly focused on reshaping the team around Jackson and Ja Morant. The addition of Anthony adds depth, but also crowding, to a point guard rotation that already includes Morant and Scottie Pippen Jr.
As a result, Anthony may not remain in Memphis for long, with the front office reportedly exploring future trade possibilities.
Memphis Grizzlies Eye Ty Jerome for Guard Depth
As reported by NBA Insider, Marc Stein, Ty Jerome has already been deemed as “a lock to leave Cleveland” and seek a full mid-level exception at approximately $14.1 M/year.
With the Cleveland Cavaliers grabbing the likes of Duke guard Tyrese Proctor in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft and acquiring Lonzo Ball in exchange for Issac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls, there is growing belief that Jerome will be on the move this offseason.
Meanwhile, reported by Sam Quinn of CBS, Colin Sexton is the likeliest player to be added to the roster of the Charlotte Hornets. With that, the Hornets will probably move out of the race to sign Jerome.
In another report by ClutchPoints, insider Brett Siegel wrote, “After trading for [Lonzo] Ball, it looks increasingly unlikely that the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Sixth Man of the Year finalist Ty Jerome will return in free agency. Plenty of teams will hold interest in potentially signing Jerome using their full mid-level exception in free agency.”
Ty Jerome ’24-’25 shot chart…
56.9% on 218 floaters. Highest floater FG% of any non-center in the entire league. Unrestricted FA! pic.twitter.com/UgcKTIbvVr
– NBA University (@NBA_University) June 30, 2025
In what is another possible trade option for the Grizzlies, they might hope to land forward Santi Aldama. Reports suggest Memphis would prefer to receive assets in return if Aldama departs.
However, if the Grizzlies are extending Jackson Jr.’s contract, then the Aldama trade might never happen.
Impact of Desmond Bane’s Departure on Grizzlies
Of course, everyone already knows about the trade that sent Bane to the Magic. He was a force for the Grizzlies in the last five years. He was among their best two-way perimeter players.
Last season, however, Bane saw a drop in his scoring, thereby prompting the Grizzlies to make the tough call to trade him. This also underscores their need for a new 3-and-D guy.
Desmond Bane is the upgrade that the Orlando Magic have been waiting for.
His lethal shooting is exactly what the Magic need to take the next step and compete at a higher level.
Per @SynergySST, last season, the Magic shot just 35% on open catch-and-shoot jumpers…
And… pic.twitter.com/hDBmBTETRm
– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 28, 2025
Bane’s departure leaves a clear hole for Memphis to fill, and the players acquired in return have already sparked plenty of buzz. Bane’s injury issues limited him to 58 games in 2022-23 and fewer appearances over the following seasons, raising durability concerns.
Now, as the Grizzlies emerge as favorites to potentially sign Jerome in free agency and actively shop Anthony on the trade market, Memphis is clearly looking to reshape its backcourt and build around Jackson Jr. and Morant.
