Aron Baynes will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, free to sign with any NBA team. However, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of NBC Sports Boston, Baynes is a good bet to stick with the Celtics. Multiple league sources tell Blakely that they expect the C’s to sign Baynes to a new multiyear contract.
As Blakely details, Baynes has made no secret of his desire to remain in Boston, suggesting in his exit interview after the season that he’d like to return. The veteran center also represented the team at the NBA Awards Show on Monday night, which doesn’t seem like the behavior of someone who expects to sign with a new team next week.
From the Celtics’ perspective, re-signing Baynes would make sense. With Greg Monroe also a free agent and first-round pick Robert Williams likely not ready for a major role, the team will need to find a way to fortify its frontcourt. Re-signing Baynes using his Non-Bird rights would allow the C’s to avoid giving up trade assets or dipping into their mid-level exception to add a big man.
Baynes, who was playing on a one-year, $4.33MM deal in 2017/18, averaged 6.0 PPG and 5.4 RPG in 81 regular season games (18.3 MPG) for the Celtics. The 31-year-old was also a key contributor in the postseason, flashing a newfound outside shot — after having made just four three-pointers over the course of his six NBA seasons, Baynes knocked down 11 of 23 three-point attempts in the playoffs.
Baynes is one of several free agents of note for the Celtics, who will also see Monroe and Shane Larkin reach unrestricted free agency while Marcus Smart becomes a restricted free agent.
Dwight Howard to Boston if he’s bought out by Nets?? good or bad?
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bad idea. Horford is probably a better fit at this stage and Baynes is a good fit to back him up. There isn’t a huge need for Howard to be honest.
Probably? Horford has been a better fit for the last 5 years. Orlando Howard was best Howard.
I actually like the idea. C’s need rebounding a shot blocking. Howard is a diva, but he does both things well
He’s also awesome at killing coaches. Figuratively, not literally.
You think Brad Stevens is a good enough coach to handle him?
*isnt
Terrible
Hell no, Howard is a quitter
Dwight says Golden State. I’ll get the NBA league pass next season. Golden State and Boston will be worth watching.
Celtics do need another rim protector and some front court depth, but certainly do not need the drama Howard brings (especially considering all the young minds the Celtics have). I personally think nerlens Noel is the better fit both need wise and financially
Yeah because he’s drama-free
Surprising, I thought he’d be going to the Knicks.
Noel could be worth a shot
DH12 is a great guy with great numbers, Boston would be lucky to get such a center, specially to match against Embiid, with Horford at the PF would be a dominant frontcourt.