Jaren Jackson Jr. Left Speechless After Grizzlies Trade Desmond Bane

Jaren Jackson Jr. Left Speechless After Grizzlies Trade Desmond Bane originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Memphis endured a roller-coaster 2024–25 campaign, finishing 48–34 but parting ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins just nine games before the postseason.

After defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the play-in tournament to claim the No. 8 seed, the Grizzlies were swept 4–0 by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, exposing roster imbalances and prompting an offseason overhaul.

Shortly afterward, guard Desmond Bane, 26, was traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange for shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, guard Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks (the 2025 No. 16 overall, 2026 via Phoenix, 2028 and 2030) and a 2029 first-round pick swap. 

Forward Jaren Jackson Jr., posted an uncaptioned Instagram photo of the two together, letting the image speak for itself.

Jackson Jr. was selected fourth overall out of Michigan State University in 2018, while Bane joined the franchise 30th overall out of Texas Christian University in 2020. Together they spent five seasons forging one of the NBA’s most dynamic duos, powering Memphis to multiple playoff appearances and winning seasons together.

Over their five years as teammates, Jackson Jr.’s defensive impact was matched by Bane’s offensive efficiency. Jackson Jr. averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 2024–25, anchoring the paint and earning All-NBA Defensive Team honors, while Bane chipped in 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists on 48.4 percent shooting and 39.2 percent from three over 69 games.

As Jackson Jr. moves forward without his longtime backcourt partner, that silent Instagram post stands as a poignant farewell to a chapter that reshaped the Memphis Grizzlies. With Bane gone, the franchise now weighs potential moves around Jackson Jr. and All-Star guard Ja Morant, to determine whether it pushes for contention or leans into a full rebuild. 

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.