NBA – After the huge trade, an expert’s dry assessment: “With the Thunder and Spurs, they’re giving up”

Par Guillaume Kagni | Journaliste sportif

Hostilities are underway in the NBA, with the first big trade even before the season is over. Indeed, given the unexpected nature of the trade, specialists are looking for explanations. For some, it’s the Grizzlies’ abandonment of the West.

This off-season will be the craziest in a long time, and the first big trade of the summer sets the tone. In an Eastern Conference that’s more open than ever, Orlando has decided to take action and acquire Grizzlies triggerman Desmond Bane. Although he may not be the most popular player, Bane will be an important addition to the team compared to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who is going the other way.

With Paolo Banchero having the potential to become one of the best players in the league and Franz Wagner one day being an All-Star, the Magic now have a trio that could upset the established order in years to come. If Jalen Suggs improves further and becomes a top-quality point guard, then the franchise can look forward to big things.

Memphis already in rebuilding mode after the swap?

Conversely, the future now looks much bleaker in Tennessee, with Ja Morant unavailable and fluctuating in level, especially defensively, and Jaren Jackson Jr. who doesn’t seem to have the makings of a leader. For Bill Simmons, the decision to trade Bane is proof that the leaders no longer believe in this project and that they’re going to rebuild:

Memphis is in the Western Conference with a Thunder team that looks set to dominate until the end of the decade, with the Spurs, and with the Mavericks who will be getting Cooper Flagg back. We could name a few others. I have a feeling that the Grizzlies have just raised the white flag on the battlefield. Jaren Jackson Jr. at $23 million per season can be sent to any franchise in the league.

On paper, the Grizzlies had a lot going for them, with a point guard like Ja Morant, one of the league’s most spectacular and popular players, a double DPOY in Jaren Jackson Jr. and an all-rounder like Desmond Bane. But in the Western Conference, it clearly wasn’t enough to dream of the title.

The Thunder are on the road to their first title with the youngest team in the playoffs, San Antonio will be a terrifying group with Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and perhaps a star of Kevin Durant’s caliber, while Dallas will be able to count on prodigy Cooper Flagg alongside Anthony Davis. In concrete terms, the West will be an even fiercer jungle than this season.