Extending Desmond Bane Was ‘Primary Objective’ For Grizzlies

An anonymous member of the Memphis Grizzlies told NBA writer Keith Smith of Spotrac that signing Desmond Bane to a rookie-scale extension was a “primary objective” for the franchise this offseason. Bane signed a five-year, $197 million extension with the Grizzlies.

“Locking up Desmond was our primary objective this offseason,” the anonymous member of the Grizzlies said. “We now have our entire core under long-term deals. And they are all 25 and under. How many other good teams can say that?”

Bane appeared in 58 games last season for the Grizzlies. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 47.9% from the field, 40.8% from beyond the arc and 88.3% from the free-throw line. The Grizzlies won 51 games in the regular season and were the second seed in the Western Conference.

However, Memphis lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in six games. Bane averaged 23.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in the Lakers series. He shot 42.2% overall, 32.0% from 3 and 93.1% from the free-throw line.

Bane was the 30th overall pick in the 2020 draft. The Boston Celtics drafted him out of TCU and traded him to the Grizzlies. Bane has career averages of 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

The Grizzlies have been busy this summer. They signed Bane to a contract extension, acquired Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics and signed former NBA MVP Derrick Rose in free agency. Memphis also parted ways with Dillon Brooks, who joined the Houston Rockets.

Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. will have to carry the offensive load for the Grizzlies to start the 2023-24 season since superstar Ja Morant will miss the first 25 games due to a suspension. Morant averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.1 assists last season while shooting 46.6% from the field, 30.7% from beyond the arc and 74.8% from the free-throw line.