Portland Trail Blazers backup big man option two – Aron Baynes
Aron Baynes won’t be available on the minimum this offseason, but if the Blazers can commit a little more money, they could secure the services of one of the best backup big men in the league.
Baynes is 33 but has doesn’t have many miles on his body as he only came into the league at age 26. He has always been known as a tough backup big who draws charges and plays great positional defense. Baynes is a throwback to the best centers of yesteryear. He is great at boxing out, he sets huge screens, and he is a strong rebounder.
Baynes, like Len, has stretched his game out to three the last few years though. Blazer fans only need to cast their minds back to earlier this season, where Baynes hit a preposterous nine three-pointers as he and the Phoenix Suns embarrassed Hassan Whiteside and the Blazers.
Baynes shot 35.1 percent from three this season on a strong volume of four attempts a game. This volume was enough for him to finish in the top 25 percent of bigs this season.
With young Suns big Deandre Ayton suspended to start the season, Baynes actually started 28 games for the Suns this season and had a career year overall.
Unfortunately, an injury later in the year meant he could not be a part of the Suns brilliant run in the NBA Bubble.
Though he is 33, I’d be happy to commit to a two-year deal at around $4 million a year if there were funds available to do so.
Baynes has playoff and championship experience with the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics; he would be a perfect addition to this Blazer team.