In previous seasons, the Boston Celtics made a habit of keeping their 15th and final roster spot open to start the season. This helped them save a little more money and provided them with additional flexibility that they could use later in the season when injuries hit. While that made sense when the team was aspiring for a championship, it makes a little less sense ahead of the 2025-26 season with Jayson Tatum injured.
According to NBA salary cap expert Keith Smith, the Celtics are one of 14 teams that currently have a roster spot they can fill before the season. Technically, however, with Tatum expected to miss the entire season, they have 13 players they can use. While two-way players provide the team additional options in cases of emergency, not utilizing a spot that could be going to a developmental player or a helpful locker room veteran seems like a waste. This is especially true in a transition season. The Celtics should take as many fliers as possible to evaluate who could be on the next iteration of a title contender in Boston.
Celtics Could Target Dalano Banton to Fill Final Roster Spot
One of the names they should seriously consider is former Celtic Dalano Banton. The versatile 25-year-old guard remains unsigned in free agency after finishing last season with the Portland Trail Blazers. Blanton was solid in his 67 appearances for Portland, averaging 8.3 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game. For one reason or another, the Trail Blazers showed little interest in retaining the veteran this offseason, and that is something Brad Stevens and the front office could capitalize on.
During his stint in Boston in the 2023-24 season, Banton wasn't able to carve out a rotation role for himself. That championship team was a stacked group with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard ahead of him in the rotation. With the entire perimeter rotation staying healthy for the season, Banton wasn't able to get enough minutes to make his mark.
Now, this is an entirely different team. Pritchard and White are still there, but Anfernee Simons is the only other guard on the team who is guaranteed to see regular playing time. Banton, with his size, length, versatility, and playmaking ability, could play a role on this team even in limited minutes.
Obviously, there is a reason why Banton is still not signed. His outside shot remains a liability, and he is one of the least efficient scorers in the league, finishing last season with a miserable True Shooting Percentage of 49.7. For those unfamiliar with that particular statistic, it is a measurement of efficiency that takes into account 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws.
Despite those efficiency issues, Banton has an intriguing combination of ball skills, size, and defensive potential that the Celtics would be wise to take another look at. Whether GM Brad Stevens feels any sense of urgency to fill that roster spot or if he would consider bringing Banton in again remains to be seen.