According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, when the Portland Trail Blazers traded for oversized third-year point guard Dalano Banton (he’s 6’9″) with the Boston Celtics last month, all they had to give up was a top-55 protected 2027 second round draft pick swap.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, they were granted $3 million in cash considerations by the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics (who are 46-12 as of this writing, eight wins ahead of the second- and third-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks). Boston looks to have made the transaction in order to minimize costs while maintaining a competitive advantage.
In his six games for the Blazers thus far, Banton has put up his greatest numbers ever, averaging 8.8 points on 41.9% field goal shooting and 61.9% free throw shooting, as well as 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.5 steals per game.
According to Rory Maher of Hoops Rumors, the Trail Blazers have a $2.2 million team option on Banton for next season.
He’s not a great jump shooter, and for a point guard, his awareness isn’t quite there yet. However, the 15-42 Blazers have nothing but time and can afford to wait for the 24-year-old to mature.
