Detroit Pistons Season Wrap: The Bench

Aron Baynes – The man who gives many beard envy

Baynes played in 75 games and averaged 15.5 minutes per game. Baynes averaged 4.9 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, 0.5 blocks per game, and 7 bone rattling screens per game (probably, I don’t have stats on that). Baynes shot 51.3 percent from the field, did not attempt a three, and shot 84 percent from the free throw line.

Baynes is the type of player every team would like to have. Baynes leaves it all out there on the floor, he plays hard with that “Aussie Grit”, sets some very efficient screens, plays solid defense, can shoot the midrange shot well, blocks some shots, and hits free throws.

I’d love for Baynes to come back, he’s a great player and he fits well with the team. However part of me also realizes we would have too much money tied up in the center position if he did re-sign, so I’m torn.

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Chances he remains a Piston: 10 percent. The ball is totally in Baynes’ court. It’s been well documented that he will likely decline his player option, and seek more money (which he deserves). A couple of weeks ago I would’ve said that there was maybe a one percent chance that he accepted his player option.

However per Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press:

"“Being here, it kind of feels like we have some unfinished business from this, and hopefully we use it as motivation for next year,” Baynes said before Wednesday night’s loss to the Orlando Magic in the regular-season finale."

Time will tell, but odds are that logic will take over and Baynes will seek that big payday elsewhere.