After losing Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol in free agency, the Raptors make a nice move by signing Aron Baynes to a two-year, $14.3 million deal per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Free agent center Aron Baynes has agreed to a two-year, $14.3M deal with the Toronto Raptors, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 23, 2020
Out of the remaining bigs on the free agency market, Baynes was the best of the bunch. He had a career year last season in Phoenix, averaging 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, shooting 35 percent from deep. Baynes rached career highs in points and rebounds last seasons with the Phoenix Suns and was critical for the squad early during the season when Deandre Ayton was serving a 25-game suspension.
Baynes is a physical big man who will give the Raptors rebounding, 3-point shooting, and solid defense. Losing Ibaka and Gasol hurts, but this move will help soften the blow. Masai Ujiri with yet another excellent acquisition.
Baynes' Per 36 stats are even more impressive, averaging 18.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per 36 minutes. That would be some solid production for a teams starting center. Baynes also adds perimeter shooting and a big pick-and-roll presence. The Raptors ran the pick and roll 14 percent of their total possessions last year, yet the roll men only ranked 29th in the league when it came to their PPP (points per possession). The Raptors are definitely going to benefit from Baynes, who is one of the better pick and roll bigs in the league.
Baynes can also play in the pick and pop because of his 3-point shooting ability, making up for what the Raptors lost in Ibaka.
The Raptors also just recently re-signed power forward/center Chris Boucher, giving them even more depth in the frontcourt. The combination of Boucher's athleticism and length with Baynes' rebounding and physicality should make Raptors fans feel comfortable with what they have at center.
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