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Detroit Pistons rewind: A brief look at Aron Baynes’ development

By Youssef Elminyawi

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 30: Aron Baynes #46 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after making a basket against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 30: Aron Baynes #46 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after making a basket against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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After spending some time with the Detroit Pistons, Aron Baynes has recently developed as a key piece to the Phoenix Suns recent success. Today we’ll dive into what his journey has been.

Aron Baynes has been having a career year on his eighth stop in the NBA. The 32-year-old is a basketball journeyman having started in Europe and played with four NBA teams, including the Detroit Pistons. This year, however, he is an integral piece to a rejuvenated Phoenix Suns team.

Baynes went undrafted in the 2009 draft, which led him to bounce around the Lithuanian, German, Greek and Slovenian basketball leagues. Finally, he made his first stop in the NBA in 2013 coming off the bench for the San Antonio Spurs.

Aaron Baynes In The Motor City

After three years in San Antonio, the Detroit Pistons signed the Aussie big man in 2015. Baynes proved himself as a capable backup to franchise cornerstone Andre Drummond. He averaged about 15.4 minutes per game in Detroit while averaging 5.6 points per game and grabbing 4.6 rebounds per game. Those numbers are not the most impressive, however, Baynes left his mark in Detroit as a capable backup center.

The Journey

After two years with the Pistons, Baynes signed in the summer of 2017 with the Boston Celtics. The Celtics were expected to become a powerhouse for years to come, after signing Gordon Hayward, Al Horford and trading for Kyrie Irving. With Boston, Baynes showed that his tough screen setting and his dirty work gets the job done.

He evolved as a regular part of the rotation whether he started or came off the bench. And in his second year in Boston, he developed a three-point shot, such that defenders had to cover him beyond the arc.

After negligible numbers from beyond the arc his first six seasons, he started shooting those threes and connected on 35 percent of them. That was enough to spread the floor even more because defenses had to respect his shot.

The Last Step

Most recently in July 2019 when superstar names were making headlines for their free agency decisions, Baynes was traded to the Phoenix Suns for a protected 2020 first-round pick. This move was not so much acknowledged as a big move in the summer, however, with the latest development in this NBA season, it seems to have made a huge impact.

After finishing last season with only 19 wins, the Suns have come out with a hot start to the season. They are currently 7th in a tough Western Conference with a 6-4 record. After the first game of the season, Deandre Ayton, the Suns’ starting center and former No.1 overall pick, was suspended for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.

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This led to Baynes taking the starting center spot, and he has been shining in it. Baynes is averaging 16.2 points per game, which is almost ten more points per game than his previous career-high. He is also averaging 5.8 rebounds per game and excelling in his all-around game. Baynes’ shooting continues to improve as he is shooting 4.4 three-pointers per game so far, and converting on 50 percent of them.

That is a stretch center adapting to the modern NBA. Finally, Baynes is playing about 24 minutes per game and shooting 59 percent from the field.

These numbers prove that he is a huge part of the Suns’ success so far this season. What happens when Ayton is back from his absence? Is it possible to play both centers? There are many questions that are brought up by Baynes’ production. But the main point is, he is definitely one of the most improved players so far this season.

dark. Next. Is it time for the Detroit Pistons to blow it up?

In a long 82 game season, do we think Aron Baynes can keep up his magnificent improvement? With Detroit struggling to have a consistent backup center, would Baynes be a good fit to come back to a Piston uniform?

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