The Portland Trail Blazers roster is in a state of flux during the 2024-25 season. Several sterling newcomers are pushing forward into new minutes and roles as more veteran players try to carry the team through the transitional year.
Today we’re going to put a series of difficult propositions before Blazers fans. If you were forced to choose between players with similar positions and/or roles, who would you keep and who would you let go?
In each post we’re going to name two or more Blazers players. If the team only kept one, which would you choose and why? You don’t have to imagine the other player disappearing. The Blazers might trade them or let their contract expire for cap savings. There would be all the usual benefits for letting go of the departing player. You just couldn’t keep them.
This post digs into the middle-lower reaches of Portland’s bench, examining two players who, at different points of the season, have provided sparks of hope. Dalano Banton is a 6’9 guard with point-a-minute scoring potential and the ability to pass. Aside from occasional steals, his defense isn’t great, but there’s a non-zero chance he could develop into a tall point guard with clearance to spare over opposing defenses. Murray is a wing—one of many on the squad—but his all-around game puts him on the runway for the same kind of position Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara inhabit. Murray’s ceiling may not reach as high as Banton’s but his reliability and serviceability are far ahead.
Given the current state and needs of the Blazers, if could only keep one of Banton and Murray, which would you choose and why? Share in the comments section below and watch for more either-or choices throughout the day!