Is Marcus Banks the Key to the Season?
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Jul 22, 2009 8:32 AM EDT
30 comments
One has to wonder just what's going through Marcus Banks' head right now.
The team he joined but months ago already had two point guards ahead of him on its roster, and now yesterday afternoon, made it official by signing a third, Jarrett Jack.
Is Banks looking at this roster and thinking, "I’m NEVER going to get off the bench?"
Or is he simply lounging at a pool in Vegas somewhere, not thinking about anything except for the fact that Toronto’s newest and latest heralded acquisition is basically making the same amount of money as him for the next two seasons?
As a Raptors’ fan, it’s tough to look at the roster and see Banks eating close to $10 Million in cap space between this coming season and the next. Toronto has done some major upgrading at key positions and if Banks’ salary and roster spot was up for grabs, the team could probably have pursued additional upgrades to solidify the bench and maybe even starting line-up.
Instead, with only a small portion of the MLE to use and the full, albeit miniscule bi-annual exception at their disposal, the Raptors don’t have a lot of options left.
What’s most frustrating for me though financials aside, is that Jack is essentially a carbon copy of the type of player Banks is, albeit a more productive version.
Both are about the same size and sport similar physical attributes.
Both can man the 1 or 2, and while comfortable running a team (see their individual college careers), both are hardly your prototypical pass-first point guards ala Nash and Calderon.
And while both can score, both can also defend their positions quite well.
Yes, even Marcus Banks when he decides he wants to.
In fact Banks could have been Jack for the Raptors couldn’t he?
Now, the Dinos are stuck with essentially the same type of player instead of having upgrades elsewhere on the roster. It’s this duplication of skill sets that I felt killed the Raptors last year that suddenly has once more reared its ugly head. Last year Jamario Moon for all his athleticism and length, was content to pretend to be Jason Kapono and to a lesser degree Anthony Parker. The Raps HAD guys who could shoot 3’s, they needed someone to get to the hoop off the bounce!
Which brings me back to Mr. Banks.
Even before the season ended last year, I pondered the idea of Banks being the key player on this team going into the upcoming season.
Not key like Bosh or Calderon of course, but key in the sense that if the Raptors can get anything from him this coming season, it could be huge and here’s why.
First of all, the Raptors still look a bit thin at the 2 guard spot. Suddenly, if Banks can come in and be productive it gives Jay Triano some more options. As mentioned, I don’t expect him to provide much variety from Jarrett Jack’s game, but even if he could be a factor defensively it would be a huge upgrade over last season.
Second, and more importantly, if Banks comes in and shows he can run the team, make some plays, lock-down some opponents etc, then come trade deadline time, he becomes infinitely more tradeable; especially since by then, he’ll be about to enter the final year on his contract. This is especially important if the Raptors are threatening to make some playoff noise as Banks could provide the missing pieces to a nice springtime run.
However right now all of this looks like a pipe dream.
I’ve compared Banks to Jack in this post but I’m by no means trying to say that one could take the place of the other right now on the court despite their similarities. Jack is an excellent pick-and-roll orchestrator, something that should mesh well with Jay Triano’s offence, while Banks is a much more effective player in the open court. And while Banks sports a fairly solid true shooting percentage, his PER of 7.89 versus 13.10 for Jack last year leaves little to be desired in terms of an outlook for the upcoming season.
So really this falls on the Legomaster now and his coaching staff.
Can they somehow coax a solid season out of Banks, perhaps selling him on the fact that there’s still a back-up spot open? Really, Jack could be filling the spot behind Jose or whoever mans the shooting guard position so there will still be opportunities even if/when Carlos Delfino comes on board.
I’m not going to say I have my hopes up here, but I do think that getting some sort of productivity from Banks could go a long way in determining just how high this team rises in the East.
FRANCHISE
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Banks done.
Franchise, you’re going the wrong way with this one.
Yes, it hurts to have someone like Banks eating up cap space. We all remember suffering through the Yogi days. However, salary gets a guy into a contract, it does not equate to playing time. If you strip away the salary and just focus on the player, Banks is the 15th guy off the bench. That’s it. He brings us nothing that we don’t already have with our first two options and his attitude sucks. I think his fate was sealed when he refused to take part in the summer league.
Not only do I not think you see this guy on the floor this year, I would disagree with the notion that he is the key to our season.
PS BC was on the fan yesterday. One comment I found interesting was that he would look to trade Ukic if he could. The minutes won’t be there for him and therefore he will work with his agent to try to find another situation for him.
Ukic
Interesting that BC would look to deal him. WIth 4 point guards on the roster he really needs to move one. I don’t think Roko (or his agent) wants to be in the D League.
I have to say I agree with you Zona. Banks will give this team nothing this year. He’s like the black sheep of the family…no-one cares to mention him unless directly asked. I expect him to be wearing street clothes almost all year. If he plays any minutes then it will only be because he injuries have decimated the team and the season is lost.
I agree that he could have been Jarrett Jack but that ship has not only sailed, it has sunk.
Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Jul 22, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
agree as well
not replacing a guy with a carbon copy. it’s more like replacing carbon copies with a colour photocopier.
Prehistoric Hoops - a neat little Raps blog
Zona – That’s what’s so frustrating about the situation. Really, the Raptors have a player who hasn’t had a great attitude to say the least, and yet it’s not like he’s useless skill-wise. I’d argue that he could actually be useful than Roko in some capacities. So if he could fight for a spot on the team and NOT be the 15th option, suddenly he might at least be a tradeable commodity.
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Jul 22, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
If banks is done, why is he done?
That’s the question for me. He had surgery this summer. It was toe surgery, so I could see that affecting everything a player might try to do basketball-wise.
Am I actually defending him, no… he seems like he has skills, but tires quickly … and his back spasms could be a sign of poor conditioning… big question mark with this guy to say the least.
Guys,
I think you’re forgetting one very important fact. We would still be stuck with Jermaine Oneil if we didn’t pick up Banks in return!! Now, which option is better, $22 Mill for a player that is injury prone & past his prime, OR a team with Hedo, Jack, Deflino & Rasho + one bad contract (Banks).
I think its pretty clear, the only way to get rid of JO was to take Bank’s contract, but the focus shouldn’t be on Banks, rather that we were able to rebuild this team this summer and actually have a chance to make it past the first round of the playoffs!
Is the glass half full or half empty? Gotta break some eggs to make an omlette guy’s, I think we’re much better off now.
Cheers.
It’ll still be a long time before the Raps can compete with Cleveland, with or without Banks. Might as well keep him on the roster, eat his contract and see where they are in a couple years.
A Nation of Masochists Pugnacity, Testosterone, TRUCULENCE and belligerence
We're in trouble!!!
If productivity from Banks goes a long way in determining how the Raps do this year, we’re in trouble!!!
Guys who sit at the far end of the bench (they may need to ask some of the photographers behind the basket to more over so Bank’s can sit there, kind of far) then I’m guessing we’re talking about other important topics like trading Bosh or linching BC.
by Big Smoke Gary on Jul 22, 2009 10:12 AM EDT reply actions
Banks is key to the season
The key is: if you see him on the court during a game, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong with the Raptors’ season.
I've been looking at the sky
by Back In Black on Jul 22, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Banks?
I can understand the frustration with Banks’ salary, and what 5 mil could do for us. And if BC hadn’t pulled off that 4 team trade scenario – which effectively gave us the ability to reach for the luxury tax limit – I’d probably be one of those cursing Banks.
That being said, I don’t feel that Banks’ 5 million per (for the next 2 years) has the same effect. And since I’d rather not have Banks taking up a roster spot, if BC can’t move him, someway, somehow, I’d be okay with releasing him. Or at least tell him to stay home until the time comes when someone needs an expiring contract – next season.
Getting any more out of Banks, would be just as you wonder …. A pipedream.
noo
i havent seen banks play enough to actually see his talent and potential but his attitude alone should warrant him to sit on the bench this season. after he refused to play in the summer league it angered me to see him giving up and not wanting to play like he knows he’s already headed to the bench this coming season. I hope BC can use his magic on finding a new home for banks cause he is the odd man on this team where no one pays attention to him and now has three guards ahead of him on the depth chart, even worse if carlos comes in and is ahead of him at pg duties as well as turkoglu.
I also really hope BC doesnt trade roko as i see him as a really great young player with a ton of upside to be at least an outstanding backup of even a solid starter. i love rokos game as he loves to take it to the rim and tries to will the team to wins. great attitude as well. it will be tough to see him go if he is indeed traded, but if he does, i hope its for a sg/sf so we dont have to sign delfino, or for an abundant of cash and/or draft picks.
i also read doug smiths blog and says he has heard rumblings about pops and petro. please we need pops back. please. great great player who will be third pf back up and can also play the 3 as i dont really see devean george play much. petro i wouldnt mind as well as he is young and would be fun to have “petro canada” here likes Franchise said. lol
Banks
I have a lot of doubts about Banks contributing in the future but he has contributed in the past. By taking him as the price of unloading Oneal we are actually ahead of the game. Imagine if the Raptors were unable to make that deal with Miami because they wanted another player not named Banks. I doubt we could get either Jack or Turk (not saying they’re the saviours of this franchise) this offseason and there would have been no sign and trade with Dallas. Our team would be the same as last year except we would have Evans instead of Kapono.
As for trading Roko, I am all for it. Everyone who thinks Roko might be good one day is missing the point (no pun intended). He will not play minutes and he still has some value because of his potential. You will not be able to trade Banks so Ukic is the odd man out. If they can get an equivalent big in return it is major win for Toronto. Besides its not like our other PGs are 30, they are both young and entering their prime while Roko is wasting away on the Bench baring an injury.
Ukic gone...Udoka, Rasho, Pops In
I WISH Banks could become a contributor, but frankly I think his attitude is not needed on this team. Reports by reputed beat writers suggested the Raps Big Wigs wanted him to play summer league but he didn’t want to. If he was really interested in being a valuable memeber of the team, he would have been in Vegas (his home) working his a$$ off showing the coaches what he can do. It appears he’s happy to sit on the bench and collect his 4.5M. I think Bryan sits on him, until the 2011 trade deadline and then he becomes a valuable 4.8M trade bait with his contract expiring at the end of that season.
I think Ukic is done in Toronto. There really isn’t minutes for him which I’m sure he won’t be happy with. I see Memphis as the ideal landing spot for him. They currently only have one pg in Mike Connely (consider Mayo a 2 guard) and oodles of cap spae. He would get lots of minutes at the back up 1 and if he improves his game next year he could challenge Connely for a starting spot. Memphis has exactly what Toronto wants…nothing! A second round pick next year should get it done. And frankly that could be a good pick…30-35. This frees up 5-10mins a game for Banks so maybe he can actually show if he has anything left. If he improves his minutes go up, if not he gets to show off his suits.
That saves us 1.35M, add in whatever is left from the MLE (1.45M I believe) and we can bring on Udoka (yeah I really like this guy!) on a three year 6.5M deal (1.9M, +8%, +8%), Pops on two years 1.78M (.855, +8%) and Rasho at the Bi-Annual 2 year 3.8M (1.9M, 1.9M).
I would be very satisfied with that roster and we still maintain financial flexibility without over commiting to Delfino. I think >4M for Delfino is too much.
2009/2010 Roster I would like to see
Calderon – Jack/Banks
Udoka – Derozan/Douby
Turk – Wright/George
Bosh – Evans/Pops
Bargs – Rasho/POB
The starting five has some flash and our bench is downright dirty (in a good way). The one thing this team is missing is a pure shooter off the bench. Though George has filled that role in his earlier years in LA.
by WinnipegRaptorFan on Jul 22, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions
Udoka
I like Udoka as a replacement for Delfino… but we can pretty much only offer him a veteran’s min contract as Jack ate up all but about 650k of the mid-level.
Pops has a 1mil qualifying offer in for him, and since the raps own his bird right they can sign him, which I’m all for as the raps need some energy and rebounding at the end of the bench.
And Rasho as the biannual would be a nice fit.
Would love to see Udoka, as Barnes is off the market.
by lessthanzero on Jul 22, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
The Jack contract numbers aren’t released. All we know is 4 years 20mil. (4.48M, +8%, +8%, +8%) can give you 20 M. This allows for 1.45M left on the MLE. BC is creative and I’m sure he figured this out before someone wrote it on Doug Smith’s blog yesterday.
That being said if Udoka isn’t getting any offers he might bite at the veterans minimum, but I have to think that there is some team out there willing to offer more.
by WinnipegRaptorFan on Jul 22, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
MLE left
Jack’s financial infor has not been released. It could be 5 million straight across the board. It could be 5.6 million this year, earning up to 8% less per year. It could be 4.45 million with maximum raises built in. Or it could be somewhere in between. If it is 4.45 million though, I do not think it leaves 1.45 million. I think it leaves 1.15 million because I’ve read that the first year of the MLE (this year) is worth 5.6 million.
So you are probably not going to get much of a player, even if you offer 8% raises.
MLE
The MLE is 5.9M this year.
And the guys over on Raps Republic have written that it is indeed backloaded, though I’m not sure of their source.
by dhackett1565 on Jul 22, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Think the source is Hoopshype.com – They’ve got his salary as follows:
$4,500,000 $4,860,000 $5,220,000 $5,580,000.
That’s why it’s so useless to have Banks on this team considering his salary for the next two years (assuming these numbers are correct) is almost identical and he’s not playing.
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Jul 22, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Franchise: Banks was the price we paid to get rid of O Neil. Don’t worry about it man, there are many teams stuck with bad contracts. Heck Miami is stuck with ONeil for $22 Mill! Jarrett Jack looks like quite the bargain if you think about it eh?
Only way we get rid of Banks is a package with someone like Roko, BC may be thinking the same thing.
All I’m worried about is rebounding at this point, if Defino doesn’t sign (looks like he’s not getting a good offer here) then we may have some other issues.
In Conclusion...Udoka
5.9 – 4.5 = 1.4
So Franchise, does $1,400,000.00 with some raises over three years get you and I Udoka? I hope so.
by WinnipegRaptorFan on Jul 22, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Udoka is not that good
Honestly, how many roster spots salaries should we look to waste on mediocre players. If we’re forced to make due with what he have going in, it’s better than wasting the money on someone because it’s available. That remaining MLE will still be available during the season, no? All I can remember Udoka doing is missing corner 3s. Don’t think it’s worth it.
by HQ Interloper on Jul 22, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Banks
Not sure where I read this, maybe here at the HQ, maybe elsewhere, but the single best line I’ve ever heard to describe Banks: signed and retired.
New Blood?
One thing people seem to be missing out on when (prematurely) anointing the Eastern Conference’s top 3 before the games are played is just how much basketball has been logged by LeBron, and in particular two of the Old Three of Pierce, Allen, Garnett the last couple of years. That catches up to you eventually, especially for a one player as centre of gravity type team like Cleveland.
Orlando looks to be good but their back up point guard play could haunt them.
Maybe I’m a little delusional but Atlanta, Charlotte, and Philadelphia look to be tougher match ups due to improved coaching or internal development. Now, Toronto with its more balanced roster looks to have joined the group of teams that should be tough to play against on any given night. I think there will be surprises.
Looking forward to the season already.
Clarification
Before people spaz out, I mean tougher match ups than they’ve been previously not tougher match ups (at the moment) than Orlando, Cleveland, and Boston
by HQ Interloper on Jul 22, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure if agree. Atlanta is better I agree there but Charlotte is about the same, and if Andre Miller doesn’t re-sign in Philly I think they get a little worse. IF Miami can lure Odom, then things get interesting.
by WinnipegRaptorFan on Jul 22, 2009 6:20 PM EDT reply actions
It’s going to be interesting to see how a few of these teams finish off their summers. I’m assuming Atlanta gets Bibby and Marvin back but if not they drop for sure. I think Boston has a few depth issues after Sheed, but if they stay healthy they look pretty solid. Cavs as well of course.
Hard to say what to make of Miami and Philly. If Miller goes I think the 76ers are in big trouble…and of course if Wade can’t stay healthy, Miami is going to need B-Eazy to step up big time…
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Jul 22, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
if wade cant stay healthy
id be surprised if the heat dont make the lottery again
Head Cheerleader of the official Matty I Fan Club
"Forgiveness is between them and God. It's my job to arrange the meeting."- Man on Fire
by Davone_Is_BessT on Jul 23, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions
coming from a heat fan
marcus banks is junk. shut down defense. 0 offense.
let him stay where he belongs… permanently glued to the bench
Head Cheerleader of the official Matty I Fan Club
"Forgiveness is between them and God. It's my job to arrange the meeting."- Man on Fire
by Davone_Is_BessT on Jul 23, 2009 1:19 AM EDT reply actions
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