The Los Angeles Clippers have miraculously recovered from a franchise-worst start and could be playoff-bound despite trading two starters at the NBA’s trade deadline. When will the Clippers newcomers make their debut?
Clippers Make 2 Roster Moves, What Does It Mean Going Forward, And When Will Their Recent Additions Make Debut?
The Clippers are in 10th place in the Western Conference at 24-27. The Clippers, who are 18-6 in their last 24 games, sit three games behind eighth-place Golden State. Eighth place is probably the only realistic goal for the Clippers at this point.
LA will be shorthanded when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow afternoon. However, NBA Insider Jake Fischer said that the Clippers are signing veteran guard Dalano Banton on Saturday afternoon to increase their depth.
“Source: The Los Angeles Clippers are signing Dalano Banton to a 10-day contracts,” Fischer tweeted.
Banton is a four-year NBA vet who last played for Portland last season, appearing in a career-high 67 games. But the 26-year-old couldn’t find a job this summer until inking an Exhibit 10 deal with Dallas late in training camp. He was ultimately waived seven days after getting the deal from the Mavericks. He has spent the entire season with the Mavs’ G League affiliate, Texas Legends, where he has played well.
In 32 games with the Legenda, Banton has averaged 24.1 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. Banton is draining 1.6 threes with shooting splits of 43.9/32.3/82.1. He has recorded five double-doubles and one triple-double while also scoring at least 20 points 25 times.
Banton is a big, lanky guard, standing 6-9, who does a lot of the little things well. Banton is at his best in transition and when getting downhill. He is a combo guard but can guard all three backcourt positions on switches. But his lack of a shooting touch is a little problematic, and he doesn’t move the ball well.
Banton figures to be the Clippers’ fourth guard for the game against the Timberwolves. However, the 26-year-old likely won’t see time when the Clippers’ three newcomers make their debut.
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images