Averaging 26 points! The "Buff Curry" is impressive! Shaking up the Eastern Conference playoff landscape.

In the last ten games, the Magic's perimeter star Bane has averaged 25.9 points per game, with shooting splits of 59%, 54%, and 85%, and a true shooting percentage of 75%., dismantling any opponent's defense as if playing with cheats enabled.

Born on June 25, 1998, this guy was the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 draft. A powerful guard standing 1.98m tall with a 1.93m wingspan, dubbed "Buff Curry," he has averaged 2.5 three-pointers per game at a 40.8% clip in the regular season and 2.7 per game at 39.6% in the playoffs throughout his NBA career so far.

Wait, his wingspan is actually shorter than his height? Bane's physical measurements are quite rare among American players. A certain NBA legend, though nicknamed "T-Rex," had a height of 2.06m and a wingspan of 2.11m.

Prior to this season, Bane had made the playoffs in all four of his seasons with the Grizzlies. Last summer, the Magic went all out to acquire him, sending out KCP + Cole Anthony + four unprotected first-round picks + a 2029 first-round pick swap—a staggering 7-asset package for 1 player, which widely surprised the league at the time.

So far this season, Bane has played 60 games for the Magic, averaging 34.2 minutes, 20.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.0 steal per game, while making 2.1 three-pointers per game at a 39.4% clip. He has helped his new team to a 32-28 record, currently 7th in the East, just one game behind 6th-place Philadelphia, with hopes of securing a direct playoff berth.

For the Magic, the high price paid for Bane was primarily to upgrade the team's perimeter shooting. This season, they are averaging 34.5% from three (25th in the league) and making 11.7 threes per game (23rd). Last season, the Magic ranked last in both three-point percentage and makes during the regular season and playoffs.

So, in trades like this, it's not strictly about value; achieving the goal is what matters. At least up to now, there have been no reports of the Magic regretting the 7-for-1 deal to acquire Bane.