The Los Angeles Clippers are giving Dalano Banton a shot - a 10-day contract that could turn into something more if he brings the same spark he’s shown in the G League. The 6-foot-8 guard has been lighting it up with the Texas Legends, and now he’ll have a chance to prove he belongs back on an NBA floor.
Banton’s road back to the league has been anything but linear. After signing a training camp deal with the Dallas Mavericks this past summer, he was waived after just one preseason game.
But instead of fading into the background, he stayed ready. He stuck with the Mavs’ G League affiliate and turned heads with his production.
In 18 regular-season games for the Legends, Banton averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. His shooting numbers were a mixed bag - 41.8% from the field and just 28.8% from deep - but he did find a better rhythm from three during the Tip-Off Tournament, where he hit at a 36.3% clip over 14 games.
The scoring average? Fifth-best in the entire G League.
And the highlight of his run came in December, when he dropped a monster 40-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist triple-double - the kind of performance that makes front offices take notice.
Now 26, Banton joins a Clippers team that’s in the middle of a roster shake-up. With James Harden and Ivica Zubac recently moving on, there’s opportunity for someone like Banton to carve out a role - even if it starts small. His size and versatility give the Clippers a different look in the backcourt, and if he can bring energy and playmaking off the bench, he might just stick.
Fans might remember Banton from his time in Portland, where he earned the nickname “DB Hooper” and played in 97 games over two seasons. After being acquired from the Celtics in early 2024, he averaged 10.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in just over 20 minutes per game for the Trail Blazers. He wasn’t always the most efficient scorer - shooting 39.9% from the field - but he showed flashes of being a dynamic combo guard who could create for himself and others.
This 10-day deal with the Clippers isn’t just a second chance - it’s a real opportunity. Banton has already proven he can dominate in the G League.
Now, the question is whether he can translate that production to the NBA level. If he brings the same confidence and aggressiveness that earned him another look, don’t be surprised if this short stint turns into something longer.