The Celtics are bringing back a former Boston point guard to fill their 15th roster spot ahead of the postseason. A league source confirmed to MassLive that Boston has agreed to a two-year deal with Dalano Banton. Michael Scotto of Hoopshype was the first to report the deal. Year two of the deal is non-guaranteed, a league source tells MassLive.
Banton had a brief stint with the Celtics back in February after signing a 10-day contract, but the team elected not to re-sign him at the time for salary cap reasons to stay under the luxury tax. Now, Banton is back to provide extra depth in the backcourt for the postseason. Banton also spent time with the Clippers this season.
Banton spent half a season in Boston during the team’s 2023-2024 championship season before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in February 2024. He spent the next year and a half in Portland but had spent most of this season in the G-League after getting cut by the Dallas Mavericks during training camp. He posted 8.3 points and 23.4 assists per game in 67 appearances for the Blazers last year.
He’s made five appearances this season in the NBA with the Celtics and Clippers, averaging 2.0 points and 0.8 assists per game. Banton could see action on Sunday as Boston is expected to rest some players for the final game of the regular season. The No. 46 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has posted career averages of 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 220 games.
