Kofi Inkoom
The Portland Trail Blazers have decided to exercise their 2024/25 team option on Dalano Banton, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. He is set to earn $2,196,970 next season, but that amount is non-guaranteed.
Banton, selected 46th overall in the 2021 draft, was traded to Portland from Boston in a salary-dump move before the February trade deadline.
Due to various injuries, Banton saw significant playing time towards the end of the ’23/24 season for the Blazers, averaging 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists over 30 games, including eight starts (averaging 29.2 minutes per game).
Although his counting stats were impressive, the 24-year-old struggled with scoring efficiency, recording a .408/.311/.780 shooting line during that period.
This slash line is quite close to his career averages (.409/.289/.729), indicating that improving his shooting percentages will be crucial for Banton’s development.
With Banton’s option picked up, the Blazers now have a full roster. Facing some clear positional log jams, it will be interesting to see if the team makes any moves as free agency approaches, especially considering players like Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle, and Deandre Ayton.