The NBA offseason is up and running, before the NBA Finals have even reached Game 5.
While the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder duke it out in a entertaining conclusion to the playoffs – 30 of the 32 teams have their eyes fixed elsewhere.
NBA Draft 2025
Top 10 selections
1) Dallas Mavericks
2) San Antonio Spurs
3) Philadelphia 76ers
4) Charlotte Hornets
5) Utah Jazz
6) Washington Wizards
7) New Orleans Pelicans
8) Brooklyn Nets
9) Toronto Raptors
10) Houston Rockets
Dallas have won the lottery, the San Antonio Spurs are on the brink of ‘a’ move, while Los Angeles Lakers fans are salivating over who to pair with a streamlined Luka Doncic.
But it’s the Orlando Magic who have moved first, striking a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies to sign Desmond Bane.
The move has come at a cost as the Magic, bundled out in the first round of the playoffs for a second season in a row, have given up five first round selections and two players to make the move happen.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony are heading to Memphis, who also collect the 16th overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft having previously not had a pick when selections get underway on June 25.
The Grizzlies will also receive Orlando’s 2026 first round pick, 2028 and 2030 unprotected selections, and a top two protected selection in 2029.
Kevin Durant is also expected to be moved on from the Phoenix Suns, while Karl Anthony Towns, Austin Reaves and even Bane’s teammate Ja Morant have been suggested for a summer switch.
But the biggest domino to fall, in what ESPN’s Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania described as potentially ‘the craziest off season ever’, could be Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Greek Freak has been bosy on social media during the NBA Finals, notably dropping a cryptic ‘I miss Woj’ message on social media that was interpreted in two different ways.
Either he was unhappy with reporting about his future since the departure of ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, or – as more mischievous suggestions implied – that a Woj Bomb on his own future could be incoming.
The Bucks superstar has long been mentioned as a potential candidate to be moved in the coming weeks, but the price fetched for Bane has set a very early benchmark.
GettyKevin Durant has been linked to the San Antonio Spurs and a host of other teams[/caption] Ja Morant could also depart the Memphis Grizzlesgetty“HOW MANY FIRSTS FOR DESMOND BANE,” one user posted, while another added “Four. I’m sorry did you say FOUR unprotected firsts?”
And fans were quick to point out what the Bucks may command for Giannis – should any move be forthcoming.
“5 first round picks for Rudy Gobert, 5 first round picks for Desmond Bane, 6 first round picks for Mikal Bridges. Imagine what a Giannis package would look like if he ever seriously asked out,” one fan posted.
And another added: “This much for Desmond Bane just makes some of the Giannis trade proposals I’ve seen even more hilarious.
Charania said during a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show: “This is the most, I think, anticipation team executives have had over an offseason.
“I think this is gonna be the craziest offseason, I don’t want to say of all-time.
“We just came off a trade deadline that was the craziest of all-time. I think this offseason might be the most craziest ever.”
The Eastern Conference would appear to be up for grabs with the Pacers claiming the crown after a conference championship over the New York Knicks.
It appears the Magic, with Paolo Banchero the face of the franchise are going all in and acquiring Bane addresses a clear problem in shooting beyond the arc.
Orlando were last of all 32 teams in three-point percentage, while Bane is one of just three players with 800 three-pointers made since he entered the league in 2020.
Per ESPN Research, he has shot 43.2% on catch-and-shoot 3s in the past five seasons, the third-best rate among players with at least 1,000 attempts,.
Veteran NBA reporter Brian Windhorst echoed Charania’s thought’s during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take last week
“I think most of the action this offseason is going to occur around the draft,” he said.
“Typically, we get most of the action between June 30 and about July 3. I think this year, because it’s not really a free agent year.
“Potentially, there’s gonna be three or four picks in the lottery that might be available, might be movable. Teams moving out, teams moving up, teams moving back. So, that’s going to be attached to bigger deals.”
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