Trading rating: Bain Bridge is worth 4-5 first rounds, what about the KD letters?

ESPN reporter Shams Charania reported that several sources revealed that the Grizzlies traded core Desmond Bain to the Magic, in exchange for Kentaves Caldwell Pope, Cole Anthony and four unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap rights.

Magic: C+

Bain's deal is easily reminiscent of the Knicks' gamble for Mikal Bridges with 5 first-round picks. It gives people the feeling that the star level is relegated, but the chips start at the first round of 4. From the best-squad level (Gobert, Mitchell) to the quasi-All-star level Bridges and Bain. It makes people wonder, if Kevin Durant and Giannis Adetoconbo are traded, how many first rounds should they return?

After a year, you will feel that the Knicks have lost money. Bridges showed the Knicks' assisted offensive performance, but the defensive end did not bring qualitative changes to the Knicks. Now the Magic's other Knicks can achieve its first division final journey in 16 years, it will be a huge victory for Magic. The last time the Magic won the series was in 2010.

The operation of the Magic is definitely related to the situation in this year's playoffs: Jason Tatum's Achilles tendon ruptured, and the Cavaliers' offseason is full of uncertainty. The Super Dark Horse Pacers once led the Thunder 2-1 in the finals. The problem is that Bain deserves the Magic to sacrifice 2 round players, 4 first-round picks and one swap right.

Bain's projection is a magic dream. In addition, he grew up as a second pick-and-roller next to Morant, which is also very suitable for Bankairo, Sargus and Wagner. Benefiting from the Grizzlies' space, Bain scored 0.988 points per use of screening, which is more efficient than any player in the Magic. Wagner is the only high-yield pick-and-roller with the Magic scoring over 0.92 points per round.

Based on current judgment, the Magic have a chance to score the top four in the Eastern Conference in the 2025-26 season, behind the Cavaliers, Pacers and Knicks, but ahead of the Celtics. Of course, if the Magic want to go further in the playoffs, it is extremely important to tap internal potential, including Sages' health, Benkairo's offensive efficiency and Wagner's three-pointer.

Magic faces pressure on luxury taxes in the 2025-26 season, and the 2026-27 season will be even more severe: Ban Kairo's contract will take effect. If Ben Keiro is selected for the All-A-Squad in 2025-26, his new contract will be 30% of the salary cap. This means that the Magic will have four players who earn more than 32.4 million yuan a year.

Not only that, the Knicks gave up five first-round picks, but at least they got the dividends of Bridges' cheap contract, which had a two-year contract of only 48 million. The deal also prompted Brunson to accept early contract renewals below the market price. Bain's average annual salary for the contract in the next four years is as high as 40.8 million.