According to Damichael Cole, the Memphis Grizzlies have no interest in making a trade for Phoenix Suns’ superstar Kevin Durant. Memphis did kick around the idea, however, they ultimately decided it wasn’t for them.

This comes heavily after the Desmond Bane trade where they secured a first-round pick swap and four first-round picks; many people believed Zach Kleiman could have flipped some of those picks and promising players to Phoenix for a “win-now” situation for Durant and Ja Morant.

In the end, they rather extend Jaren Jackson Jr. and remodel the team based on the abilities of Jackson and Morant. There isn’t even a realm of where they would be a “darkhorse.”

The 36-year-old continues to have his list as the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat. The New York Knicks have no interest in him, and Durant has no interest in playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Phoenix is still trying to get a deal done before, or right at, Draft Night. However, they reportedly may extend the deadline past the NBA draft.

According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, despite the Memphis Grizzlies trading away Desmond Bane, the organization has no intentions of trading Ja Morant or Jaren Jackson Jr.; while they are remodeling their team, they won’t fully launch into a hardcore rebuild.

General manager Zack Kleiman has went on record to say Memphis is not close to contention, which heavily implies changes were going to be made. This was after the Grizzlies were swept in the first round of the postseason by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With them hiring Tuomas Iisalo as their permanent head coach, this will usher in a new type of system – a more upbeat, faster pace offense. They believe this will greatly benefit Jackson Jr. and Morant.

Rumors continue to speculate what moves the Grizzlies will make in the draft, in other trades, and even potential free agent signings. They have increased cap space and flexibility to mold their roster as they see fit.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Orlando Magic have traded Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round picks and a first-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies for Desmond Bane.

The picks are the 16th overall pick, a 2026 first-round pick (Phoenix Suns), and Orlando’s 2028 and 2030 first-round pick. The pick swap is lightly protected, as it’s in 2029.

This trade is not expected to be completed until July 1st due to tax apron complications for the Magic.

One of the biggest needs for the Magic young core was a solid shooter who can open the floor for players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Last offseason, they targeted Klay Thompson for these exact same reasons.

Memphis getting rid of Bane allows for them to become more flexible financially to be able to pay Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr.; two players they badly want to keep. Beyond their cap space concerns, this trade will give them nice backcourt depth for Ja Morant.