Report: Celtics, Baynes agree to 1-year, $4.3M deal
Free-agent center Aron Baynes has agreed to a one-year, $4.3-million deal with the Boston Celtics, sources told The Vertical's Shams Charania.
After trading Avery Bradley to clear max cap space for Gordon Hayward, the Celtics can squeeze Baynes into their cap sheet using the room exception. All of those deals are still pending finalization.
Baynes will help fortify a Celtics frontcourt that was in dire need of some size. Boston ranked 27th in the NBA in rebound rate last season, and losing their four best rebounders (by individual rebound percentage) in Tyler Zeller, Kelly Olynyk, Amir Johnson, and (most likely) Jonas Jerebko this summer didn't help the cause. Baynes' 15.6-percent rebound rate would've led the Celtics last season, by a mile.
The 30-year-old Australia native spent the last two years with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per game. He's a limited offensive player, but the Celtics will be grateful for Baynes' dirty work under the boards and in the deep post.