Raptors: 3 first-round picks Dalano Banton is outperforming

1. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

Kuminga was taken seventh overall despite the former elite recruit and G League star being tagged with some noteworthy concerns about his shooting. He and Moody have both struggled to get consistent minutes, as Kuminga hasn’t given Golden State much to write home about.

Kuminga is averaging just 3.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game this season. Steve Kerr has been reluctant to throw him into the fire as he did with James Wiseman. Any time a No. 7 pick is getting firmly outplayed by a player drafted where Banton was, that’s not necessarily a great reflection on this front office.

Raptors stud Dalano Banton is playing more than Jonathan Kuminga.

Kuminga is likely going to be fine. Players that are as athletic and versatile as him usually figure it out. That doesn’t make the fact that Banton has been the more productive player through the first fraction of the season less impressive.

Banton has a long way to go before he can ever be described as a reliable NBA starter, but he already secured a very long career in this league on the back of his hustle and athletic gifts. With a few more subtle tweaks on the offensive end, we should see the promising Banton start to take off.