
Pivot Podcast Desmond Bane Orlando Magic's star leads 4-0 NBA Cup surge with consecutive 37-point games, reacts to his Memphis blockbuster trade, reveals truth on Ja Morant, names league’s rising stars and shares the core family values shaped by his grandparents.
Dec 5, 2025
Desmond Bane, an Orlando Magic shooting guard and rising NBA star, discusses his transformative journey from being raised by his grandparents to hitting back-to-back 37-point games. He shares heartfelt stories about family sacrifices, including discovering his father later in life. Bane opens up about his brotherhood with Ja Morant and the pressures of leading a young team in Orlando after his blockbuster trade. He also highlights the importance of routine and mental health in achieving success and names emerging talents that could shape the future of the league.
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Raised By Great-Grandparents Shaped His Drive
- Desmond Bane describes being raised by his great-grandparents and crying in Hawaii wishing they could see his success.
- He credits their sacrifices, like driving him to AAU, as the backbone of his journey to the NBA.
Trade News Came On Father's Day
- Bane learned he was traded to Orlando via a FaceTime from his GM on Father's Day while on vacation.
- The move immediately brought excitement and also the realization he was entering a new culture away from Memphis.
Let Performance Quiet Off-Court Noise
- Bane's guidance for Ja Morant: focus on dominating basketball — average big numbers and win to change narratives.
- He believes elite on-court performance silences controversy and benefits the league.

