3 Reasons the Trail Blazers should bring back Dalano Banton next season

The Blazers were closely monitored as a team to potentialy make a significant trade deadline move last season; they had veterans on their roster, including Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant, and were out of the playoff conversations, meaning they could've been a trade partner for a contending team looking to add another piece to make a playoff run. Instead, general manager Joe Cronin made only one minor deal, trading with the Boston Celtics for guard Dalano Banton.

The Blazers gave up an insignificant asset in the exchange, a top-55 protected 2027 second-round pick, unlikely to convey. The Blazers were not only given Banton but also $3 million in cash considerations. Although many expected a more significant trade deadline deal, acquiring Banton was still suitable for Cronin and the Blazers. In his 30 games played with Portland, Banton averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.

Reason No. 1: Banton's positional size fits a team need

The 6-foot-8 Banton is such a unique guard in terms of his length and point-forward skill set that he adds another dimension to their roster. Although Portland already has a plethora of guards, most of them have redundant skill sets. They already have enough ball-dominant playmakers and need to keep around a more well-rounded, defensively switchable guard like Banton.

Portland's guards are also undersized, with Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons being 6-foot-3. The Blazers were dead last in the league in defensive rebounding, and Banton's 4.8 rebounds per game he averaged with Portland this season could also help in that aspect. Banton wouldn't see the 19.4 minutes per game that he played this season, but keeping him around next season gives head coach Chauncey Billups more lineup flexibility, giving him a guard off his bench he can go to in a specific, limited role when they need more positional size.