The Portland Trail Blazers have formally committed to a new-look backcourt. They traded Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday, signed Damian Lillard to a three-year deal, and appear ready to give up-and-comers such as Scoot Henderson, Rayan Rupert, and Shaedon Sharpe meaningful playing time.
Unfortunately, the odd man out was Dalano Banton, who'd spent the previous two seasons in Portland but will now continue his career with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Trail Blazers acquired Banton for a second-round draft pick in a 2024 trade with the Boston Celtics. He quickly turned heads by averaging 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steal, and 2.2 three-point field goals made over his final 24 appearances in 2023-24.
After just two seasons with the Trail Blazers, however, Banton has formally moved on by signing with the Mavericks' G League affiliate.
Banton had no shortage of overseas interest but held out for an NBA opportunity. Dallas' roster is realistically full but (as with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl) it gets Banton's G League rights. Dallas is also still working to obtain Dennis Smith Jr.'s G League rights from the Bucks. https://t.co/PrPArlF0li
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 7, 2025
It would've been ideal for the Trail Blazers to bring the 25-year-old back to further explore his potential, but it appears his tenure has officially run its course.
Former Blazers guard Dalano Banton signs with Dallas Mavericks
In 2024-25, Banton struggled to rediscover the magic that put him on so many radars over the final month-and-a-half of the 2023-24 season. He shot just 39.1 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from beyond the arc, thus resulting in his minutes being cut.
After averaging 29.2 minutes per game in 30 appearances with the Trail Blazers in 2023-24, he ended the 2024-25 campaign at 16.7.
Banton deserves credit for adapting to a new role and position, however, as his playmaking was prioritized after previously excelling as a scorer. He averaged 5.1 assists per 36 minutes, as well as 18.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 2024-25.
Banton also played 74 percent of his minutes at point guard this past season after spending 57 percent at shooting guard in 2023-24.
Unfortunately, Banton's eye-opening per-36 production wasn't enough to secure him a place in the rotation. Henderson and Holiday are likely to consume a vast majority of the minutes distributed at point guard, with lineups likely to be developed that feature the duo sharing the court.
Sharpe, meanwhile, has averaged at least 31.3 minutes per game in each of the past two seasons and will likely receive ample opportunities to reveal his true potential in his contract year.
It's admittedly unlikely that Lillard will play a game this season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. He should be back in 2026-27, however. In the meantime, Rupert, a Summer League standout, offers a similar combination of youth, size, and playmaking to what Banton provided.
One can only hope that Banton discovers success with the Mavericks and that the Trail Blazers are simultaneously vindicated for their decision to prioritize their current talent.