FEBRUARY 2: Asked about Wednesday’s report, Baynes suggested that he hasn’t yet decided to opt out of his contract with the Pistons this summer, according to Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press.
“I definitely haven’t thought about anything yet,” Baynes said. “It’s not even All-Star break. There’s a long way left in this season. I’m just trying to go out there and make the most of it.”
While Baynes may not be considering his offseason decision, his representatives have likely thought about it, and an opt-out would certainly make sense. Last summer, only three veterans with player options actually exercised them, and none of those three players – Mo Williams, Tim Duncan, and Caron Butler – have appeared in an NBA game this season.
FEBRUARY 1: The Pistons are exploring the trade market for possible deals involving Aron Baynes and Boban Marjanovic, league sources tell Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders. It’s not clear what sort of return the team would be seeking for its bigs.
Baynes, 30, joined the Pistons as a free agent in 2015 after spending the first three seasons of his NBA career in San Antonio. The Washington State alum has been a key part of Detroit’s rotation during the last two seasons, averaging 5.6 PPG and 4.4 RPG in 126 games (15.2 MPG). Baynes has a $6.5MM player option on his contract for the 2017/18 season, but league sources tell Scotto that the big man intends to turn that option down and become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Marjanovic, meanwhile, also came to the Pistons as a Spurs free agent, inking a three-year, $21MM deal with Detroit last summer. In his first season with the club though, Marjanovic has played sparingly, appearing in just 20 games and averaging only 7.3 MPG. He saw his most extensive playing time in January when Baynes only played 17 minutes in a five-game span.
Baynes’ value on the trade market will likely be limited, since he can become a free agent this summer. Marjanovic is under contract through 2018/19, but has yet to show he can be a consistent and productive rotation player, which may make teams hesitant to pursue him. Neither player figures to produce a significant return for Detroit, but we’ll see if the Pistons end up moving one or the other in the coming weeks.
Boban can be an excellent scorer/lane clogger for a second unit. Detroit should keep him to play minutes behind Drummond. Very efficient player. A team looking to trade for him, should utilize him in this way as well. Minnesota, New Orleans, Boston (they love players who can score efficiently in limited minutes too), Cleveland, Milwaukee could all use inside help
If Boban is such an excellent scorer and rim protector then how come he can’t even get on the court for a team that’s six games under .500? He’s really tall and has giant hands. That’s about it. He’s also 28 years old so progression is unlikely
But his production when he gets on the court is phenomenal. Against charlotte he put up 15/19 in 22 minutes and 13-11 against golden state in 16 minutes. It’s not a matter of why he can’t get on the court but how he plays when he’s on. It’s just like Stanley after he has been playing well.
If you want to use that logic then you need to also take into consideration the fact he played decent minutes for a much better team in San Antonio last year. He’s just not a good fit for the Pistons but doesnt mean he’s regressing or terrible. Like many good players, needs opportunity on the right team.
I mean to say, ‘like many other decent players’. Good might be a bit of a stretch…
He doesn’t get out there cause Stan for one has this afflictions with baynes no matter how bad he is and two prefers centers that are smaller more athletic and that can shoot for his second unit boban is large lumbering but he can block shots and at times can be automatic with the post hook he would be excellent if he got out there
Then Van Gundy made a huge mistake by signing him. Boban played 9 mpg in 54 games with the Spurs. Considering Pop’s tendency to rest his starters I would not call that meaningful minutes. I’m not saying he’s regressing but he certainly isn’t progressing and he’s in the typical prime years of an NBA career. My point was that he clearly isn’t an “excellent scorer”
Boban also played behind (an aging) Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge, David West and Boris Diaw. So even in SA he didn’t exactly have a ton of minutes to play. At the very least, he was 5th on the big man depth chart.
I think they should trade Baynes, and make Boban Drummond’s primary backup, but like the article said, there might not be a market for him since he’ll be a FA this summer.
Best plan right there.
Exactly right – I’d like to see Baynes move now, i wonder if OKC would swap Andre Roberson straight up.~
OKC has Kanter, Adams, and Sabonis, what would they want with Baynes? Even given Kanter’s injury, its not like Baynes is the same player as Kanter (he’s more Adams than Kanter). Plus that leaves OKC short on the wing.
I agree with you guys that Baynes can go. Can’t hurt to see what other teams “might” offer for either one of these players.