Dalano Banton’s basketball journey has been a quiet one.
Not a highly touted high school prospect, the Toronto native began his collegiate career in 2018 at Western Kentucky where he averaged three points in 15 minutes per game. He then transferred to Nebraska where he posted almost 10 points along with six boards and four dimes per night as a redshirt sophomore, an improved statline from his freshman campaign but still nothing to write home about. When Banton declared for the NBA draft in 2021, most major outlets predicted him going undrafted. He avoided that fate, though, as the Toronto Raptors (who are known for their love of lengthy, versatile wings) selected him with the 46th pick.
Despite showing productive flashes with his hometown squad, Banton didn’t stick in any kind of role for the Raptors during his first two seasons as a pro, playing just 10 minutes per game as a rookie and even fewer in year two. Therefore, when he inked a contract with the Celtics this past summer, the signing was an afterthought and got buried in the buzz of free agency. When he was traded from Boston to Portland at the deadline, the move wasn’t any more newsworthy.
Just like the rest of his quest, Banton’s tenure with the Trail Blazers has flown under the radar. Only now, he’s doing something worthy of noise. The 24-year-old is breaking out in a big way with his new team.
Since arriving in Rip City in February, Banton has assumed a significant rotation role. With this fresh start, he’s been proof that opportunity is everything in the NBA, as he’s been playing the best basketball of his life. As a Blazer, he’s averaged over 15 PPG, 4 RPG, and 3 APG while shooting 43% from the field and 36% from three. Those are at least partially eyebrow-raising numbers, and by far the best of Banton’s career, but his play becomes even more exciting when you look at the tape. There’s no evidence that can prove this to be true, but the kid just moves like a star.
Banton’s a jumbo guard, which has always been the appeal of his game, and the intrigue is turning to reality for him. At 6’9”, Banton’s a legit ball handler who moves fluidly and effortlessly with the rock in his hands. He uses long strides and quickness uncommon for a guy of his height to knife his way to the rim. He won’t wow you with his burst or bounce, but using his craft, touch, and length, he just finds ways to get to the rack.
Here, Banton is facing Reggie Bullock, a steady defender. He sizes Bullock up at the elbow, and then just puts his head down and finishes over him with the tough inside-hand scoop. It wasn’t even bad defense, Banton’s just too long and too skilled.
His efficiency isn’t particularly inspiring, as he’s converted just 49% of his driving layups (via Bucket List). His lacking strength and athleticism give him trouble amongst the trees. But it’s important to remember that Banton is still raw as a third-year player getting his first consistent playing time in the NBA and has plenty of developing left to do. The finishing flashes he’s shown are too impressive to be ignored.
Banton’s guard chops don’t just come to light in the scoring department. He’s a good passer, too, and knows how to use the advantages he creates when he gets downhill. When he sees help defense rotate on his drives, he can make the simple, timely kick out pass. In the pick-and-roll, he likes to link up with his screener for alley-oops. He can make more advanced reads, too, and find open shooters out of the P&R. Playmaking is not his primary role, but it’s a real part of his toolkit and something that makes his upside even more enticing.
As mentioned before, Banton’s guard traits have long been his selling point. The thing holding him back from letting those skills shine, besides lack of opportunity, has been his poor jump shooting. Through two seasons in college and two in the league, he didn’t shoot above 30% from deep once and his free throw percentages weren’t much better. In today’s era, that’s a major red flag.
Banton is now turning those flags, in TikTok terms, beige.
By no means is he Steph Curry, or even a guy like Grayson Allen, but Banton has added at least a respectable three-ball to his arsenal and it’s done wonders for him. His stroke is quick and he doesn’t hesitate to let it fly, and that’s why he’s found a 36% success rate from beyond the arc as a Blazer. Cementing the outside shot as a weapon of his will be the key to his long-term success.
For someone with a, to put it lightly, questionable shooting history, Banton is surprisingly unafraid to let it fly off the dribble, and that willingness is another reason to be bullish on his potential. It’s been fool’s gold before, but it’s hard not to fall in love with a 6’9” guard confidently knocking down stepback threes.
All in all, while his skillset is out of the ordinary and he’s far from a perfect player, there’s a lot to be excited about with Dalano Banton and his future. And considering his silent grind to get here, it’s about time that he got some attention.
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