Dalano Banton, Boston Celtics
Dalano Banton, Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are signing Dalano Banton to a 10-day contract, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Banton has previously spent time with the franchise, suiting up for them on 24 occasions during the 2023-24 season.
“The Boston Celtics plan to sign Dalano Banton to a 10-day deal, sources told @hoopshype,” Scotto reported. “Banton just completed a 10-day deal with the Clippers. The 26-year-old guard has averaged 6.7 points in 14.5 minutes in five seasons combined with the Raptors, Celtics, Blazers, and Clippers.”
During his previous tenure with the Celtics, Banton averaged 2.3 points and 1.5 assists per game. Since leaving Boston, he’s played for the Portland Trail Blazers and LA Clippers.
Banton will provide depth at the guard position following the Celtics decision to trade away Anfernee Simons as part of the deal that landed Nikola Vucevic in Boston.
The Celtics currently only have 13 players under contract. NBA rules dictate that a team can only be under 14 contracted players for a total of 28 days in a season, and no more than 14 consecutive days. Adding Banton for the next 10 days, if not longer, will ensure the clock pauses.
Last season, Banton played in 67 games for Portland. He averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 assists and 2 rebounds per game while averaging 16.7 minutes of playing time each night.
Celtics Likely To Add Another 10-Day Player Today
According to Yossi Gozlan of the “Third Apron” Substack, the Celtics will need to add two players on a two-way contract by the end of Feb. 19. Banton has filled one of those spots, meaning another shoe is yet to drop.
“The BostonCeltics must sign two players today after having fewer than 14 for two weeks,” Gozlan wrote on X. “Two10-day contracts, including one for one of their two-way rookies, would help them remain under the luxury tax line while fulfilling minimum roster requirements at the end of the season.”
The reason for leaning on 10-day contracts is that it allows the pro-rata salaries in the NBA to continue diminishing. Essentially, the Celtics will tread water with their open roster spots until it’s cheap enough to sign players to short-term minimum deals while remaining under the luxury tax.
Celtics Still Waiting On Jayson Tatum’s Decision
Rounding out the back end of the roster is undoubtedly essential for the Celtics. However, that won’t be nearly as impactful as learning whether Jayson Tatum intends to return from an Achilles injury this season. After all, if Tatum does return, the Celtics will be welcoming an All-NBA and All-Star talent back into the rotation.
In a recent episode of ESPN’s NBA Today, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that Jayson Tatum remains undecided about his potential return.
“I know everybody has seen that game got flexed to that spot on NBC on prime time. There’s a documentary that an NBC affiliate has been doing,” Shelburne said. “There are connecting dots. But, I checked in with Jayson Tatum, and he said, ‘I’ve still not made a decision on whether or not I’m coming back this year.’”
So, for now, Brad Stevens is wise to continue treading water as the Celtics remain patient. And, who knows, perhaps Banton can impress the Celtics coaching staff and secure a longer stay in Boston; we already know he can make an impact off the bench.