Former Boston Celtics big man Aron Baynes is reportedly seen as a likely candidate to leave the Phoenix Suns by NBA executives, according to the Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.
But before you get too excited about a potential Celtics reunion, O’Connor also relates that the New Orleans Pelicans may be his planned landing spot.
Baynes continued to blossom as a 3-point shooter with the Suns, a skill he unlocked during his tenure with Boston.
Shooting a career-high 35.1% from beyond the arc at 4 attempts per game, Baynes more than doubled his scoring from his last season with the Celtics to 11.6 point per game.
Whoa Jalen Smith is interesting for the Suns. NBA execs fully expect Aron Baynes to leave Phoenix (with New Orleans as a distinct possibility) so Smith can fill that stretch-5 role. I fully expect Monty Williams to use some double-big lineups too. Smith can stroke 3s like a wing. https://t.co/GwBxQiWtJR
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 19, 2020
Baynes and the Celtics have remained friendly since the former Boston big was dealt to make room for Kemba Walker’s contract, All of Australia even seeming to miss his former home in the northeast when the Celtics Wire met up with him at the Mexico City Games last December.
While a Boston-Baynes reunion isn’t out of the question, it sounds like the competition for his services might be steep.
