3 former Raptors who might be eyeing revenge in 2023-24

2. Dalano Banton, Boston Celtics

The Raptors have developed a nasty habit of letting former players join rivals in the last few years. Banton, a Rexdale native forever immortalized as the first-ever Canadian player drafted by Toronto, was not retained after two seasons of promise marred by uneven offensive play.

Banton quickly signed a contract with the Celtics, as Brad Stevens was intrigued by the same length and defensive potential in the backcourt that had Ujiri willing to use a pick on him two years ago. With how thin Boston’s bench is, the potential for revenge is quite high.

Dalano Banton could embarrass the Toronto Raptors.

While Jeff Dowtin did outplay him at times last season, the fact that Toronto has once again held on to Malachi Flynn and keeping a two-way lottery ticket like Dowtin over a draft pick like Banton might light a fire in his stomach that could be tough to extinguish.

Knowing the recent luck that Boston has had with bench players discarded by other teams, Banton will likely come out showing the confidence and shooting he was not able to flex consistently during his time with the Raptors. This development would only make Toronto’s ladder that much more difficult to climb.