Pistons' Aron Baynes: Expected to stick as top backup at center

Baynes is still expected to remain the Pistons' top backup center this season following the signing of Boban Marjanovic to a three-year, $21 million contract, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Analysis:

Like Baynes, Marjanovic began his career with the Spurs before joining the Pistons, but the 7-foot-3 Serbian is still a relative NBA neophyte compared to Baynes, who was serviceable while stepping in at center last season when franchise cornerstone Andre Drummond needed a breather, averaging 6.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game. While Marjanovic was more productive of the two on a per-minute basis in 2015-16, Baynes isn't on the trade block and should enter the coming campaign second on the Pistons' depth chart. Rather than challenging Baynes for playing time this season, Marjanovic's signing instead looks to be a hedge by the Pistons against Baynes opting out of his contract for 2017-18 and becoming a free agent next summer, which seems like a virtual certainty.