The Boston Celtics began NBA free agency on July 1 with the re-signing of one of their own unrestricted free agents, Aron Baynes.
Tommy Heinsohn rejoice! All of Australia is returning to the Boston Celtics. As first reported by Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports at the start of NBA Free Agency Sunday morning, the team has agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal with free-agent center Aron Baynes.
There is not much of a surprise here. Baynes, who averaged 6.0 points and 5.4 rebounds with the Celtics in 2017, expressed his desire to return to the team. The team also expressed the importance of re-signing the big man.
Wasting no time at the start of free agency, both sides got it done which led to a very pumped up Aron Baynes.
He tweeted after the announcement of the signing:
"“Staying where I wanted to be!! Last year added fuel to the (fire emoji) bleed green banner 18.”"
As part of a team that advanced to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Baynes could smell the blood of an NBA championship. He showed it by the enthusiasm expressed in the tweet above just as much as he showed it on the court last season with his gritty and tough defensive play, particularly in the playoffs.
With the return of Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, re-signing a player who averages just under 6.0 per game in his career may not seem that big of a deal, but on a team with championship aspirations, Aron Baynes is a huge piece for the Celtics for the following three reasons.
Valuable post defender
Despite the many times he was posterized last season, Baynes gave the Celtics the toughness below the rim they were desperately in search of. With his 5.4 rebounds in 18.3 minutes of play, he proved to be a big banging body doing all the dirty work below.
With a high defensive rating and an ability to protect the rim, the 31-year-old big man proved his value going up against Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid in the playoffs. He didn’t completely stop the talented center, but he put enough body on him to slow him down at times.
Baynes’ value also showed against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. With the way Tristian Thompson and the Cavs bullied the Celtics down low the year prior, a player like Baynes was needed to provide some presence.
He showed that presence with some tough interior defense and hustle that quickly showed Cleveland the Boston Celtics weren’t going to be physically dominated this time around.
A selfless team player
Aron Baynes is exactly the kind of player Brad Stevens relishes. As one of the few veterans on a team comprised of young, inexperienced players, the Australian big man does whatever the Celtics coach asks him to do.
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Whether it is starting a game or not playing much at all depending on matchups, Baynes puts the team first and trusts the game plan. Along with Al Horford, Baynes showed a level of leadership with his selfless play that has earned praise from Stevens.
"“I’ve said this not enough times: you can’t have better leaders than Al (Horford) and Baynes. You can’t,” Stevens said back in May, as transcribed by NESN. “They’re both our two oldest players, they’re totally selfless, they’re totally in it for the team, they wrap their arms around young guys. It’s as good as it gets. So being able to take him in and out of the lineup has set a great example for everybody else.”"
With the team chasing an NBA title, Baynes’ championship experience is also a huge value going into the 2018 season. Not only has he won before, but he is just as hungry as the rest of his team to get to the next round and hopefully win it when they do.
A mentor for Robert Williams
Along with the depth Aron Baynes will provide at the center position, his hard work and knowledge of the game will hopefully rub off on Boston Celtics first-round pick Robert Williams.
Labeled as the steal of the 2018 NBA draft by going No. 27 to the Celtics, one of the knocks on Williams defensive lapses in games. A talented rim protector, Williams has the talent to be a factor under Brad Stevens, but his work ethic will have to be at a high level to earn playing time and succeed.
Al Horford and Aron Baynes are players Stevens believes the product of Texas A&M will learn from. With how each player takes care of themselves and approach the game, Williams stands to learn a lot.
The return of Baynes will also allow Williams the time to grow and work himself onto the court. With Daniel Theis also returning, the Boston Celtics will have enough depth at the position for Williams to enjoy the process and simply sit back and learn.
Next: Boston Celtics: 3 reasons to love big bangin’ Aron Baynes
Beyond that, watching how a guy like Aron Baynes works will both inspire and push the young center to keep his own work ethic at a high level.