Locked On Pistons – June 20 – Baynes opts out
By Duncan Smith
In Tuesday’s episode of the Locked On Pistons podcast, we dive in on Aron Baynes opting out and becoming a free agent and discuss news from around the NBA.
The pace of news and rumors around the NBA has poured in at an incredible pace since the weekend when the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics swapped top-three picks. The Detroit Pistons have made their way into the speculation, being named as a possible trade partner for the Los Angeles Lakers.
In Tuesday’s episode of Locked On Pistons, I expanded upon the “departure” of David Griffin from the Cleveland Cavaliers front office, Chauncey Billups‘ candidacy for the now vacant general manager position, and Dan Gilbert’s general level of humanity. Billups will make an excellent general manager, but the Cavs job is a thankless one and a rough introduction to front office life.
Aron Baynes has opted out of his $6.5 million player option, and whether Pistons fans know it or not, they’ll miss him when he’s gone. Baynes was perhaps the best defender on the roster last season, and a bench that both scored capably (when Tobias Harris was a reserve) and stopped opponents reliably will be a bigger question mark with Boban Marjanovic likely taking over the backup center spot.
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Finally, with news that both Paul George and Jimmy Butler possibly on the move, I expanded on my thoughts regarding how two rebuilding teams in the Central Division left behind by departing stars could be a good thing for the Pistons in the short term, but a bad thing down the road.
Listen to Tuesday’s episode below.