Rumored Boston Celtics free agent point guard target an ‘upside play’
Boston Celtics free agent target Dalano Banton recently met with the franchise per Rafael Barlowe — and according to Celtics Wire’s Justin Quinn, would be a high-upside play as opposed to a surefire signing of a rotation player.
The Boston Celtics have met with unrestricted free agent Dalano Banton this evening
— Rafael Barlowe (@Barlowe500) June 30, 2023
“Banton’s height stands out as the primary attraction,” Quinn prefaced before saying, “Otherwise, such a signing would be an upside play given the Canadian point guard averaged 4.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game with Toronto last season in 9 minutes of floor time while shooting 42.3% overall, 29.4% from 3 and 70.8% from the line.”
At six-foot-nine and with a six-foot-10 wingspan, Banton is a perfect player in the era of positionless basketball, especially at his position. The ultra-big lineup concept Brad Stevens mentioned in the wake of the Kristaps Porzingis trade — one that would feature Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Porzingis at the 3, Al Horford, and Robert Williams III — could make sense welcoming in the Toronto Raptors free agent to supersize it even further.
Dalano Banton could be a two-way contract target for the Boston Celtics
Banton didn’t put up spectacular stats during his two seasons in the Great White North, making him far from a shoo-in for a guaranteed contract during the 2023-24 season following the Raptors’ renouncing of his rights to make him an unrestricted free agent.
The Boston Celtics should be looking to add Banton on a two-way contract, given the way he handled assignments down in the G-League.
“Just kinda understanding circumstance and situation,” Banton said earlier this year on going up and down between the NBA and G-League (h/t Sportsnet). “Just knowing that I was set back with some injuries this year — so it’s never a downgrade, it’s never a punishment type of thing. Just going down there and staying professional and being ready for my name to get called.”
If Alex Barlow and the Maine Celtics could develop Banton’s raw skills, the Boston Celtics could have themselves a diamond in the rough on a low-risk arrangement.