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

Reason No. 2: Blazers' injuries and roster uncertainty

Although Portland currently has a plethora of guards, that may not be the case as next season unfolds. With limited free agency flexibility due to their cap situation, it makes sense for the Blazers to keep Banton around for added guard depth. The point forward is already familiar with Portland's system and had a relatively productive end-of-season stint with the team despite his inefficient shooting.

The Blazers will almost certainly make a trade this offseason to avoid taking on luxury tax obligations. Although the Blazers could make a few key players available for trade, including Jerami Grant or Anfernee Simons, Malcolm Brogdon is the most likely trade candidate. Brogdon, 31, makes the most sense as the Blazers have an excess of talented guards; he's on a $22.5 million expiring contract and doesn't fit their rebuilding timeline.

The Blazers rolled out 40 different starting lineups this season, second to only the Memphis Grizzlies. Regarding Portland's guards, Shaedon Sharpe only played 32 games, Brogdon 39, Anfernee Simons 46, and Scoot Henderson 62. As Hoops Rumors' Rory Maher mentions in theirPortland Trail Blazers Offseason Preview regarding Portland's injuries - it's fair to question how many of them, especially towards the end of the season, were a result of the Blazers attempting to land a better draft pick.

It's preferable to keep Banton around and not have to play him if their guards remain healthy and aren't part of a trade rather than being depleted by injuries like last season and wishing he was still around. Especially since it only costs the Blazers $2.2 million to retain him.