When the Dallas Mavericks brought in Dalano Banton on a training camp deal this past offseason, the move flew under the radar for most. But for those paying attention, it was a classic low-risk, high-upside swing - the kind of move that can quietly pay off down the line.
Banton, a 6-foot-9 guard with a unique blend of size and playmaking, had just wrapped up a two-year stint with the Portland Trail Blazers. He wasn’t a headline-stealer, but he was intriguing - the type of player who, in the right system, might just carve out a role.
Fast forward to now, and Banton is wearing a different jersey. The LA Clippers scooped him up from the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, signing him to a 10-day contract.
It was a quiet transaction in the grand scheme of the NBA calendar, but it could have ripple effects for Dallas. The Clippers now control Banton’s immediate NBA future - they can keep him around on another 10-day deal or lock him in with a standard contract.
For Mavericks fans, this one might sting a little. Not just because Banton was in their system and slipped through their fingers, but because he’s now with a team that’s become a bit of a postseason nemesis during the Luka Doncic era. The Clippers have knocked Dallas out of the playoffs more than once in recent years, and now they’ve added a player the Mavericks had right in their backyard.
And Banton wasn’t just a name on the Legends’ roster - he was producing. In 2026, he averaged 24.1 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game.
Those aren’t just solid numbers - they’re the kind of stats that scream “NBA-ready contributor.” He showed real growth in his offensive game, blending his size and ball-handling to become a tough cover at the G League level.
His ability to create off the dribble and make plays for others stood out, and he looked every bit like a player knocking on the door of a full-time NBA role.
So why didn’t the Mavericks make room? That’s the question fans are asking - especially with the team in a clear rebuilding phase.
Dallas has been flirting with the idea of opening up roster spots, reportedly eyeing players like Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse. But so far, no moves have been made.
And in the meantime, a player like Banton - who could’ve filled a real need - is getting his shot elsewhere.
There’s also a bigger-picture angle here. With Dallas focusing on the future and potentially eyeing top prospects like Cooper Flagg in the draft, surrounding a young core with versatile, developmental pieces like Banton makes a lot of sense.
He’s 26 - young enough to grow with a team, experienced enough to contribute right away. He might not be a sure thing, but that’s exactly the kind of player you want to take a chance on when you’re rebuilding.
And now, he’s getting that chance in LA. The Clippers just made a major move at the trade deadline, sending James Harden to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Darius Garland and Ivica Zubac.
That’s a seismic shift - one that signals the Clippers are entering a new chapter. For Banton, it opens the door to real playing time on a team that’s reshaping its identity.
Of course, there are still questions. Banton has shown flashes, but consistency and defense have been the main hurdles.
That’s likely what kept Dallas from committing to him earlier in the year. But when you’re in a developmental phase - and the Mavericks clearly are - those are the kinds of challenges you take on.
You bet on upside. You bet on tools.
And Banton has both.
It’s not that Banton would’ve been a franchise-altering move. But in a season where the Mavericks are clearly looking toward the future, letting a player like him walk - especially when he was already in your system - feels like a missed opportunity.
He may not have been the first player Dallas signed if they’d cleared roster space, but he likely would’ve been in the mix. Now, he’s getting his NBA shot with a playoff-caliber team - and the Mavs are left wondering what could’ve been.
In the end, it’s a reminder that sometimes the most impactful moves aren’t the splashy ones. Sometimes, it’s the guy on a 10-day deal who ends up making you wish you’d acted just a little sooner.