Two Portland Path Blazers veterans had normal non- or partially assured contracts earlier than the season: small ahead Dalano Banton, on {a partially} assured deal, and level guard Devonte’ Graham, on a non-guaranteed deal. There’s now only one remaining, formally bringing the membership’s complete right down to the utmost of 15 normal contracts a person is allowed to carry.
Portland introduced Thursday a press launch that it had lower Graham. Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian initially reported the transaction earlier than the group’s official reveal. Graham had agreed to a non-guaranteed deal for Exhibit 9 coaching camp, and it was understood that the Path Blazers’ fifteenth spot was primarily going to go to him and Banton.
Whereas logging 13.2 minutes per evening in his two preseason video games for Portland, the 6-foot-1 veteran averaged simply 1.0 factors on 0.0 % taking pictures from the ground (on 2.5 discipline objective makes an attempt per evening) and 66.7 % taking pictures from the foul line, plus 2.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 0.5 steals. This result’s a far cry from his profession common of 11.1 factors on .371/.354/.812 taking pictures occasions, 4.3 dimes and a pair of.3 rebounds over 336 common season video games throughout a six-year profession that features stops with the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans and most lately the San Antonio Spurs.
Though the Path Blazers’ backcourt is a bit short-handed coming into the 2024-25 common season, given beginning guard Shaedon Sharpe’s lingering shoulder harm, it is sensible to guess on the highest expertise bred from Banton, somewhat than the confirmed product at 29-year-old Graham.
The 6-foot-9 Banton, nonetheless solely 24, continued the sturdy play he demonstrated final 12 months in his three preseason video games with Portland to date. After being traded from the Boston Celtics mid-year, he acquired a significant alternative to fill a reserve perimeter level guard position to shut out the 2023-24 season. In his 30 video games with the Path Blazers, the Nebraska product averaged 16.7 factors whereas taking pictures .408/.311/.780, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0, 9 steals and 0.6 blocks per evening. In three preseason appearances to date, Banton has averaged 11.3 factors with taking pictures splits of .440/.286/.571, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1 .0 steals and 1.0 blocks, whereas solely enjoying 20.3 minutes.
Solely $217,533 of Banton’s contract was assured after Portland picked up his group choice in June. $1,098,485 of his cash might be assured on opening evening subsequent Wednesday. He’ll earn the total $2,196,970 of his contract if he’s nonetheless rostered on January 10, 2025.
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