Former Phoenix Suns guard Marcus Banks has reignited a nearly 20-year-old grievance, claiming the franchise and coach Mike D'Antoni broke a promise about his playing time. Banks made the comments on a recent podcast, a story that surfaces as the modern Suns face their own challenges, including a 122-131 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 28, 2026.
Marcus Banks, a point guard who played for Phoenix from 2006 to 2008, said Mike D'Antoni and team officials visited his home before he signed. "D'Antoni, those guys come down and sit in my living room and promised me to play 25 to 35 minutes a game because Steve Nash was 62 years old at the time," Banks joked, exaggerating Nash's age to highlight his point about the star's workload. He believed his role was to preserve Nash for a championship push. Banks signed a five-year, $21 million deal after a career year in Minnesota, crediting Kevin Garnett for unlocking his game.
The promised minutes never materialized. Banks recorded 65 'Did Not Play' designations, he said. Official stats show he played 45 games in 2006-07, averaging 11.2 minutes and five points. He played 24 games the next season. Meanwhile, Steve Nash averaged 35.3 and 34.3 minutes per game in those seasons, near his career high. Banks' frustration peaked during the 2007 NBA Summer League in his hometown of Las Vegas. He scored 42 points in a single game, setting a then-record, but the Suns sat him for the rest of the event.
History has a way of echoing. The Suns' current form is a pressing concern for fans. Their recent run includes a 1W-4L record in their last five, having lost four straight. The slide features consecutive defeats to the Thunder: 109-121 on April 25, 120-107 on April 23, and 119-84 on April 19. Their sole win in that stretch was a 135-103 victory over Oklahoma City on April 13. This context makes any story about unmet expectations resonate more sharply with the fanbase checking the current [standings](/standings).
Mike D'Antoni, recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, built an iconic Suns offense around Nash. Banks' anecdote sheds light on the difficult decisions coaches make between managing stars and developing depth. While Banks felt misled, the Suns were a title contender prioritizing Nash's health and rhythm. The team reached the 2006 Western Conference Finals before falling to Dallas. Banks' career never regained its Minnesota trajectory after Phoenix, a reminder of how roster fits and promises can define a player's path. The Suns' focus now shifts to addressing their present issues after that 122-131 loss to close April.
