On the sixty-first episode of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, Geoff and XJ break down the first major trade of the offseason—and why Desmond Bane could quietly turn the Orlando Magic into a legit contender.

While most NBA fans are still locked into the Finals, Orlando just made a bold, forward-thinking move that could reshape the balance of power in the East. It wasn’t flashy, but it was smart. The kind of move that makes sense today—and could look utterly brilliant by next spring.

In this episode, we dive into why Bane is the perfect fit for the Magic’s young core, how he ranks among the NBA’s most impactful players, and what this trade tells us about Orlando’s philosophy, Memphis’s direction, and where the league is headed.

We cover:

🔹 Why Orlando’s “bad luck” masked a 50-win foundation

🔹 How Bane fits perfectly next to Franz and Paolo

🔹 What the best metrics like EPM and LEBRON say about Bane’s offense

🔹 Why this season is a massive test for Jamahl Mosley

🔹 What Memphis might really be planning after this deal

💬 Let us know in the comments: Did the Magic overpay or just level up? Is Desmond Bane the most underrated star in the league? And how far can this Orlando core actually go? We respond to EVERY single comment.