Desmond Bane's blockbuster trade to the Orlando Magic was meant to boost their offense, but early struggles have left him marginalized. The Magic sit at 3-5, ranking low in offensive efficiency, while Bane averages just 13.9 points per game. Atlanta's Onyeka Okongwu noted Bane's frustration amid limited shot opportunities.
The Orlando Magic acquired Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade that cost them four unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap, aiming to enhance their offensive firepower with his shooting and playmaking. However, the integration has not gone as planned. Through eight games, the Magic are 3-5, ranking No. 25 in overall offense and No. 26 in halfcourt offense per Cleaning The Glass. They also rank 27th in offensive pace according to Inpredictable.
Bane, in his first season with Orlando, is averaging 13.9 points in 29.1 minutes, shooting 28.6% from three on 4.4 attempts per game. His usage rate is the lowest since his rookie year, and his scoring and assists have dropped significantly on a per-possession basis compared to his five seasons with the Grizzlies. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner remain the primary offensive initiators, with Banchero's usage slightly down and Wagner's more noticeably reduced from last season.
The frustration boiled over in a recent game against the Atlanta Hawks, where Bane was ejected on Tuesday for spiking a ball off Onyeka Okongwu's head. Okongwu commented on Thursday, 'I can already tell he's frustrated over there. He's not having the best year. I'd be frustrated too, if I was in the position [that] he is, watching, respectfully, Paolo and Franz take all the shots.'
Coach Jamahl Mosley addressed the issues on Friday ahead of an NBA Cup game against Boston, saying, 'I think our guys are looking at trying to find the right play. We've just gotta do a better job of finding the right spacing, being [in] our spots at the right time and then understanding, when we put two on that basketball, that we're moving and sharing.' Earlier, Mosley emphasized letting defense fuel offense, while Bane urged patience: 'coming into the season, he knew there was a "decent chance it gets off to a little bit of a rocky start"... there is "a long way to go" and "I'd rather be playing our best basketball in April or may than October."'
Defensively, the Magic rank No. 18 per Cleaning The Glass, a drop from last season, with recent blowout losses in Philadelphia, Detroit, and Atlanta limiting transition opportunities where Bane previously excelled. Suggestions include using Bane more as a screener and for threes on the move to unlock his potential.