According to Bobby Manning of CelticsBlog, Dalano Banton, who was traded at the trade deadline, could serve as a warning to the Boston Celtics after his rise to prominence with the Portland Trail Blazers following his departure from the Cs.
Manning mentioned another name that stings Celtics supporters, Aaron Nesmith, as a comparable example of a player they appear to have given up on too early.
“It’s too early to say if dumping the latter will cost Boston, more focused on its championship pursuit than the long haul, but it could provide some warning against moving on from a young player too soon,” Manning said before going on to say, “Aaron Nesmith emerged in a similar manner at Indiana and the Celtics never filled their 15th roster spot.”
Banton was traded for a tightly protected second-round selection, which amounts to nothing in layman’s terms, yet he has increased his scoring to a career-high 16 points per game in 27 minutes per game with the Trail Blazers.
Dalano Banton wouldn’t have had the same opportunity with the Boston Celtics.
Did Boston give up on Banton too early? Perhaps, but the way he was playing before the trade, shooting 37% from the field and 12% from three, it didn’t appear that he’d be able to contribute to a championship team anytime soon.
Jaden Springer, who, along with Xavier Tillman, is responsible for Brad Stevens’ low-risk, high-reward trade deadline acquisition, has already demonstrated greater potential as a fit. His attacking game has yet to develop, but he has demonstrated defensive brilliance in 13 outings.
Banton may out to be the better player, and the previous short-term Celtic may have been able to fill a point guard void. But you can’t blame Stevens for his deadline moves since nobody could have imagined such a performance from the Nebraska product.
