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Well-traveled Banks may not be in Raptors’ plans

Marcus Banks, who has had a well-traveled NBA career since coming into the league in 2003, faces an uncertain future with the Toronto Raptors.

Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo says Banks, a former Cimarron-Memorial High School and UNLV standout point guard who is playing for his fifth NBA team, is a question mark to be on the Raptors’ opening-night roster.

“I’d say right now everything’s up in the air,” said Colangelo, who watched his team play Saturday in the NBA Summer League. “We have a lot of moving parts right now with free agency and our draft, and as the dust settles, we may have some things that may or may not affect Marcus.”

Banks had surgery on his big right toe March 23 and played in six games for Toronto after being acquired from Miami in February. He is scheduled to make $4.5 million in 2009-10 and $4.8 million in 2011, the final year of his contract.

Neither Banks nor his agent, Mike Higgins, could be reached for comment.

Banks averaged 2.5 points and 1.3 assists in 2008-09. He worked out with the Raptors’ summer league team last week at Cox Pavilion, and coach Jay Triano said Banks was fine.

But Colangelo said it’s hard to determine exactly what Banks’ effectiveness is as he continues to recover from his injury.

“I liked him when he played here (at UNLV, from 2001 to 2003),” Colangelo said. “But right now, with the injury and all, it’s tough for me to see where he’s at basketball-wise.”

Banks’ name routinely comes up in trade rumors. But with his hefty salary, he may not be easy to move.

Before joining the Raptors, Banks played for Boston, Minnesota, Phoenix and Miami.

LAKERS WIN — The Los Angeles Lakers improved to 2-0 in summer league play with an 88-82 victory over Cleveland.

Adam Morrison led all scorers with 22 points in 32 minutes as the Lakers continue to get him as much court time as possible.

Morrison is coming back from major knee surgery in 2007, which forced him to miss the 2007-08 season. He appeared in eight games for the Lakers in 2008-09 after being traded from Charlotte in February.

Alan Anderson, who has played in the NBA, the D-League and in Europe, scored 12 points and hit a 40-foot shot at the end of the third quarter to put the Lakers ahead 66-57.

Ben McCauley, who had 24 points and 15 rebounds against Toronto on Friday, was solid but not spectacular against the Cavaliers (0-1), finishing with 10 points and seven rebounds.

REUNITED — Coby Karl, the son of Denver coach George Karl, will play for the Nuggets’ summer league team beginning Monday.

Coby Karl split time last year between Idaho of the D-League and DKV Joventut Badalona in Spain.

Former Rancho High School and UNLV player John Welch, an assistant on George Karl’s staff, will be Denver’s summer league coach.

CROWDED HOUSE — The stands at Cox Pavilion were full during most of Saturday’s session, with 4,500 attending the four games.

Attendance has averaged 3,962 after the first two days.

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