The Portland Trail Blazers moved on from polarizing guard Dalano Banton this offseason. There's a possibility that Portland was Banton's final stop in his NBA career, as he's yet to be picked up by a new team. However, Marc Stein of The Stein Line recently reported that Banton has been auditioning [subscription required] for other teams around the league.
"After stints with Toronto, Boston, and Portland, Dalano Banton continues to chase an NBA roster spot despite interest from teams abroad. Banton has auditioned recently for NBA teams such as Golden State and Indiana; I've been apprised that the Pacers passed," Stein writes.
What's next for Dalano Banton?
In the worst-case scenario, Banton will still be able to continue playing professionally overseas, as he's already received interest. The Indiana Pacers have reportedly already moved on, but is there an NBA team out there that makes sense as a landing spot for the former Blazers guard?
The Warriors are still waiting for their messy situation with Jonathan Kuminga to be sorted out eventually. His qualifying offer expires on October 1. They still have a league-high six roster spots left to fill with the regular season just one month away, although some of those spots are essentially reserved for Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton, and Gary Payton II, according to Stein. Seth Curry is another name that has been linked to the Warriors for obvious reasons.
Golden State has been patiently waiting to add these players into the mix, with Kuminga being the first major domino to fall, and Banton could be included in that list of players waiting for their NBA futures to be determined. However, the Warriors are going to have a crowded backcourt if they add all these guards they are expected to sign, which could spell trouble for Banton. Additionally, his NBA experience makes him ineligible for a two-way spot, which makes it even more challenging to land on an NBA roster.
Banton averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 rebounds last season with the Blazers. His ball-dominant style of play and jumbo guard skillset could thrive overseas as he'd be more of a go-to option. With the regular season fast approaching and NBA roster spots continually filling, it wouldn't be surprising if that's how this unfolds. But first, we'll have to wait and see how this situation develops with the Warriors and any other NBA team he potentially auditions for.