Desmond Bane Likes Fit With Magic; Pacers Reject “Lost Year” Label; Hornets Re-Sign Jaylen Sims
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ORLANDO, Fla. — Newly acquired guard Desmond Bane believes his shooting and ball-handling will mesh smoothly alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner when he begins his first season with the Orlando Magic.
“I think my skill set complements those guys very well,” Bane told Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina, adding that increased spacing should allow Banchero and Wagner to attack the paint more freely. He also pointed to Orlando’s versatility, saying the roster can deploy “all kinds of lineups with multiple handlers and screeners.”
The 26-year-old arrives after four seasons in Memphis and insisted he harbors no ill will toward the Grizzlies. “I’m rooting for Memphis 80 games out of the year,” he said.
Pacers Plan to Compete Without Tyrese Haliburton
INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers president of basketball operations Chad Buchanan dismissed the idea that the upcoming campaign will be a placeholder while All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton recovers from an Achilles tear.
“We’re not looking at this as a year to try and get through,” Buchanan told the Indianapolis Star. “Some years are going to be more challenging than others. Obviously, we’re down Tyrese, but I wouldn’t put a limit on anything this year.”
Indiana reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2024 and the NBA Finals in 2025, outperforming preseason projections both times. Buchanan acknowledged the offense will slow without Haliburton but cited roster continuity as reason for optimism.
Hornets Bring Back Jaylen Sims on Exhibit 10 Deal
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets rounded out their 21-man training-camp roster by re-signing guard Jaylen Sims. Terms were not disclosed, but the agreement is expected to be an Exhibit 10 contract, similar to the deals Sims signed with the club in 2022 and 2023.
The 6-foot-6 UNC Wilmington product averaged 7.0 points and 2.0 assists in six games with Charlotte last spring and helped the Hornets capture the Las Vegas Summer League title in July with 14.2 points per game on strong shooting splits. If he remains with the Greensboro Swarm for at least 60 days, he would be eligible for an $85,300 bonus, and his deal can be converted to a two-way contract.
Source: Hoops Wire
