Is Marcus Banks LA Bound?

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The Lakers tried to trade for Marcus Banks two years ago. He was included in a package of players being offered by the Celtics in exchange for Gary Payton. He was pulled at the last minute when Payton failed a physical and he never became a Laker.

Then last season the guard rich Celtics traded him to Minnesota where he experienced his first taste of significant minutes. In 30 minutes he averaged 12 points, 5 assists, 1+ steals, while shooting a dazzling 48% from the field, 36% from the 3, and 78% from the free throw line. Projected over 40 minutes he would show us 16 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals.

Now a Minnesota newspaper is reporting that Banks is headed to the Lakers as a free agent. At 6'2" Banks is not the prototypical tall point guard that Coach Jackson usually wants to have to run his triangle offense. But before the tradiing dealing last season the Lakers were working hard to bring in another point guard with experience. Banks is only a three year player but he may bring in something the Lakers are lacking at PG. Being very quick, he just might be able to defend other point guards who riddled the Lakers last season. In the playoffs against the Suns, Smush constantly struggled to fight through screens and Sasha actually guarded Steve Nash better than Smush did.

If the Lakers do not draft a PG in the first round of the draft it may signal that this free agent signing of Banks is in the works. With the 26th pick they may just take the best player available with the most upside.