It seems that the Grizzlies make a small profit, but in fact they may face greater trouble next?

According to the authoritative ESPN reporter Shams Charania, the Memphis Grizzlies reached an agreement with the Orlando Magic. The Magic sent Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four future first-round picks and a first-round swap rights to the Grizzlies, and the Grizzlies sent Desmond Bane to the Magic. According to subsequent news, these first-round picks are: No. 16 in the first round of 2025, the unprotected first-round pick of Phoenix Suns in 2026 (or interchange with the Wizards), the unprotected first-round pick of the Magic in 2028, the unprotected first-round pick of the Magic in 2030, and the slightly protected (top 2 picks) in 2029, the Magic and the Grizzlies in the first round swap.

Judging from the bargaining chips provided by both parties, the Grizzlies obviously made a fortune in this deal. The Grizzlies ate Pope's large-value junk contract and Anthony's small-value junk contract, but these two contracts will expire in just two years. We do not rule out the possibility that Pope will return to his courage in the form next season, and Anthony's contract amount is not large. He is also a substitute player who can be used in the regular season. What's more, the Grizzlies can also conduct subsequent transactions to further optimize resource allocation and adjust the team's lineup.

In the NBA regular season this season, Pope played a total of 77 games in 82 games, averaging 29.6 minutes per game, averaging 8.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 0.8 turnovers and 1.8 fouls. He shot 43.9%, three-point shooting percentage 34.2%, and free throw shooting percentage 86.3%. In the playoffs, Pope played 5 games in total, with averaging 32.7 minutes per game, and his average data fell to 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks, and 0.4 turnovers and 2.2 fouls. His shooting percentage was 26.7%, his three-point shooting percentage was 26.1%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 75%.

In the NBA regular season this season, Anthony made a total of 67 appearances in 82 games, averaging 18.4 minutes per game, averaging 9.4 points, 3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks, and 1.5 turnovers and 2.3 fouls. His shooting percentage was 42.4%, a three-point shooting percentage of 35.3%, and a free throw shooting percentage of 82.3%. In the playoffs, Anthony played 5 games in total, with averaging 10.2 minutes per game, averaging 2.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.2 blocks, and 1.8 turnovers and 2.4 fouls. His shooting percentage was 28.6%, a three-point shooting percentage of 0%, and a free throw shooting percentage of 75%.

In fact, judging from the current situation, although the Grizzlies are obvious winners in this deal, they will also have bigger problems. The team's backcourt lineup is seriously crowded. They were originally quite well-manned in the backcourt position, but now they are equivalent to using one backcourt player to exchange for two backcourt players, which further leads to the congestion of the lineup. The Grizzlies are the team that owns Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. who sent Bain away but seemed to send out signals to rebuild. If they want to rebuild, they should first figure out who is the core issue. If the core players have not solved the problem, the high-quality third leader will first be sent away, and there will be huge problems in the team's future direction.

In this transaction, they encountered the magic of seeking talents. Next time everyone knows that their backcourt players overflow. If they want to properly handle other players in this situation, the difficulty will also increase further. It seems that the Grizzlies are the winners of this deal, but it may be too early to determine whether they are the real winners. If you are not careful, they may fall into a huge crisis in the next few seasons, which is not a problem that can be solved in the first round.