Trail Blazers News: Ascendant Rip City Guard Could Give Fantasy Owners Week 24 Edge

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 9, 2024

Apr 5, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA - Portland Trail Blazers ponit guard Dalano Banton (5) battles for a bucket. / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Journeyman Portland Trail Blazers point guard Dalano Banton appears to have finally found a home on his third NBA team. Across his 27 contests with Portland (seven starts), the 6'9" Nebraska product is averaging 16.4 points on .425/.353/.759 shooting splits, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 0.9 steals a night.

His output has been so good of late that he's seen as the type of player that can help put a fantasy basketball team owner over the top in the 24th and final week of the 2023-24 NBA regular season (and thus the final week possible in a fantasy basketball season).

Jim McCormick of ESPN loves Banton as a potential waiver wire acquisition, noting that just 14.6% of all ESPN leagues currently have him rostered.

"A scoring guard by trade with a growing acumen as a distributor, as well, Banton should prove busy for the Trail Blazers in the last several games before the offseason," writes McCormick. "The most pressing question comes not over his immediate value, but how Banton factors into the team's plans looking ahead in a dynasty context. This will be an interesting summer for a roster that has a unique mix of veterans and prospects."

Banton is an intriguing oversized point guard, and is certainly a fun on-court watch.