NBA Banks was selected as the thirteenth pick in the first round of the
2003 NBA draft by the
Memphis Grizzlies; however, he was then traded to the
Boston Celtics along with
Kendrick Perkins for
Troy Bell and
Dahntay Jones. The Celtics agreed to trade him to the
Los Angeles Lakers in 2004 for
Gary Payton, but returned to Boston after the trade was amended following Payton's refusal to take a physical. Payton would later be acquired by the Celtics in a trade involving different players. In Boston, Banks was known for his good defense and ball handling;
Allen Iverson, a division-rival point guard, named Banks as the toughest defender he faced in his career. However, coach
Doc Rivers had high hopes for young guard
Delonte West, and Banks' minutes were reduced. On January 26, 2006, it was announced that Banks,
Mark Blount,
Ricky Davis and
Justin Reed were traded to the
Minnesota Timberwolves for
Wally Szczerbiak,
Michael Olowokandi and
Dwayne Jones. Banks signed as a
free agent with the
Phoenix Suns on July 19, 2006. In 2007, the Suns spent training camp working Banks into a shooting-guard role when they were not seeking a trade, a tough proposition with Banks in the second year of a five-year, $21.3 million contract. On February 6, 2008, Banks, along with All-Star forward
Shawn Marion, was traded to the
Miami Heat for
Shaquille O'Neal. On February 13, 2009, Banks and Marion were traded to the
Toronto Raptors for
Jermaine O'Neal and
Jamario Moon. Banks' final game in the NBA was during his time with the Raptors on November 16, 2010, in a 94–109 loss to the
Washington Wizards. In his final game, Banks recorded 2 points and 2 assists. On November 20, 2010, Banks was traded to the
New Orleans Hornets with
Jarrett Jack and
David Andersen for
Peja Stojaković and
Jerryd Bayless. In his -month tenure with the Hornets, Banks never played a game for the team, effectively ending his NBA career.
Overseas On November 12, 2012, Banks was acquired by the
Greek League club
Panathinaikos Athens. He was released in May 2013. ==NBA career statistics==