Desmond Bane returns to the Grizzlies with a max deal.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports Bane agreed to a five-year, $207 million extension stay in Memphis. There he will continue with a core of two-time All-Star Ja Morant and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr.
Bane, 25, averaged 21.5 points, five rebounds, 4.4 assists and one steal last season while shooting 47.9% from the field and 40.8% on seven 3-point attempts per match. He exceeded expectations that made him the 30th pick in the 2020 draft out of TCU while becoming a top 3-point threat who shot 42.5% from long range in his three-year career.
Bane’s new contract eclipses the four-year, $9.45 million contract he signed as a rookie in 2020. He will earn $3.8 million in the final year of that deal next season before his extension does not come into effect for the 2024-25 season.
Bane joined the Grizzlies via an overnight trade in 2020 after being selected by the Boston Celtics. The Grizzlies sent two second-round picks to Boston in return, in addition to cash consideration for the Trail Blazers as part of the three-team deal that saw Boston send Enes Kanter to Portland. In return, the Grizzlies landed a fundamental piece for their future.
Bane played mostly off the bench as a rookie, averaging 9.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 22.3 minutes per game. With injuries limiting Morant to 57 games in Bane’s second season, Bane broke into an increased role while averaging 18.2 points and shooting 43.6 percent from long range. He earned a full-time spot in the starting lineup before continuing his development last season.
The Grizzlies finished second in the Western Conference last season before losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Los Angeles Lakers. They will look to Bane again to carry an additional charge next season as Morant begins the season facing a 25-game suspension. He will share the backcourt with new teammates Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose, who agreed to join the Grizzlies earlier Friday on a free agent contract.