The Suns have Marcus in the Bank
After trading away all of their draft picks this year (Rondo to Boston/Rodriguez to Portland) the Phoenix Suns are reported to have added a second free agent (first was Piatkowski) to their roster as Marcus Banks is expected to sign a 5yr/$21 million contract to provide more depth at point behind two time MVP Steve Nash.
Originally selcted 13th overall in the 2003 draft by the Grizzlies his rights were traded to the Celtics along with the rights to Kendrick Perkins (for Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones). After spending ample time on the bench in Boston he was packaged to Minnesota along with Blount/Reed and Ricky Davis and two 2nd rounders for Wally Sczerbiak/Olowokandi/Dwayne Jones and a conditional first rounder in last season's blockbuster deadline trade. The time that Banks has spent wearing a T-Wolves uniform (40 games) was at least productive offensively as he saw his mpg average double (from 15 mpg to 30 mpg) as he was thrust into the starting lineup in the last 28 games in Minnesota, his ppg jump to 12.0 and his apg to a very respectable 4.7. After signing Mike James, Minnesota had no room for Banks who suddenly got crowded in the backcourt with Marko Jaric, rookie Randy Foye and veteran Troy Hudson.
Lil Dice at iheartkg gets the same feeling that Celtic's fans had of Banks (in that they may have let one get away) when they traded him and simply hopes that "he doesn't develop into a stud playing backup for Nash" but if Nash really makes everyone better he may have a hard time transforming Marcus Banks as they will rarely be on the court at the same time. Nuno at NBAFanBlog justly describes Banks as "aggressive and plays within a system well enough".
Banks might have been able to find a starting spot somewhere but suffice it to say that the offensive mindset of the Phoenix Suns should not change and he will benefit from it greatly (if and when he gets used to it). He has over the years gained a reputation as a "lockdown defender" and as a high speed scoring point guard who doesn't necessarily pass first but in Phoenix you don't need to, you just need to be able to finish, in this constantly moving offense if you can refrain from throwing the ball away (also part of his "rep") the others will find you. If the injury bug ever does hit the Suns at least they'll have some serviceable backups on point lined up in a tandem of Barbosa and Banks.
Originally selcted 13th overall in the 2003 draft by the Grizzlies his rights were traded to the Celtics along with the rights to Kendrick Perkins (for Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones). After spending ample time on the bench in Boston he was packaged to Minnesota along with Blount/Reed and Ricky Davis and two 2nd rounders for Wally Sczerbiak/Olowokandi/Dwayne Jones and a conditional first rounder in last season's blockbuster deadline trade. The time that Banks has spent wearing a T-Wolves uniform (40 games) was at least productive offensively as he saw his mpg average double (from 15 mpg to 30 mpg) as he was thrust into the starting lineup in the last 28 games in Minnesota, his ppg jump to 12.0 and his apg to a very respectable 4.7. After signing Mike James, Minnesota had no room for Banks who suddenly got crowded in the backcourt with Marko Jaric, rookie Randy Foye and veteran Troy Hudson.
Lil Dice at iheartkg gets the same feeling that Celtic's fans had of Banks (in that they may have let one get away) when they traded him and simply hopes that "he doesn't develop into a stud playing backup for Nash" but if Nash really makes everyone better he may have a hard time transforming Marcus Banks as they will rarely be on the court at the same time. Nuno at NBAFanBlog justly describes Banks as "aggressive and plays within a system well enough".
The Arizona Republic caught up with the Banks family:
