Are the Boston Celtics in the cards for Australian big man Aron Baynes? Based on what we are hearing from a recent interview with ESPN’s Olgun Uluc, it sounds like a reunion with his former team could at least be on the table.
“”Everything’s so fluid right now,” Baynes related to Uluc on his pending free agency. “That’s why you’ve got to lean on people you trust. For me, it’s my agent, and I know that’s the business side of basketball.”
Baynes played with the Celtics for two seasons after joining the team in the trade that sent Avery Bradley to the Detroit Pistons, only to be dealt himself in 2017 to make space for Kemba Walker.
CLAB 18 – How does a $132m projected tax impact the NBA, Celtics? https://t.co/1HugZnOXvP
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 4, 2020
He was beloved by teammates and fans alike while with the Celtics, and seemed to hold them in high regard when the Celtics Wire spoke to him at the 2019 Mexico City Games, so the interest may be there.
At the same time, he’s looking to his representation to help him make the right call.
“I’ve been through it too many times to tie anything emotional to it, as much as you want to. You do have these connections throughout basketball and throughout the teams you’ve played for and where you’ve gone and also the outlook for your family.”
“Everything weighs in to it,” he added.
If one squints enough, Baynes could be hinting of an interest in returning to one of the teams he’s played for — and Boston is most likely to give him a significant role on a team looking to contend.
Is Jayson Tatum recruiting Aron Baynes back to the Boston Celtics? https://t.co/UvJETHhwsK
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 2, 2020
But could he feel sour over how his last stint with the Celtics ended?
He got the payday he wanted and it made star-oriented decisions force his ouster to the Phoenix Suns — which was by all accounts as amiable as such a situation can be — but it doesn’t seem like that was what All of Australia was hoping to see unfold.
“At the end of the day, it’s a business decision, and we aren’t even sure how that business is panning out right now, so hopefully it’s for the best. It’s what I’ll be leaning on the agent for. Whatever we do, we’ll try to make the best decision for myself, for my family and everyone who’s helped me get to this point.”
Recovered from a bout of COVID-19 that hit not only Baynes but his family as well, the big man is adaptable and upbeat despite the significant challenges he and all players will face in the coming season.
NBA to begin season Dec. 22nd, potentially start free agency Nov. 19 https://t.co/AHRuiTNCvz
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 6, 2020
It also sounds like that exit from Boston could have been a warm-up for the chaos of this season, based on an assessment of the year we all love to hate that he dropped in the ESPN interview.
“The best thing about 2020 is, no matter what plans you have, they’re gonna have to change,” Baynes explained.
“No matter what’s coming or what I’ve thought of previously, it’s gonna change.”
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