Despite not making an appearance in an NBA game since 2021, big man Aron Baynes is still interested in continuing his playing career. The Australian native most recently played for the Brisbane Bullets of the NBL. On the year, he averaged 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Baynes, who turns 38 in December, likely will not get another NBA opportunity. Furthermore, he has yet to sign with another team in the NBL for the 2024-25 season. However, he has made it clear he is not ready to call it a career just yet.
In a recent interview with ESPN’s Olgan Uluc, Baynes opened up about possibly continuing his basketball career, saying he “feels good.”
“I’m not labelling anything,” Baynes told ESPN on Thursday.”My body feels good. I love playing the game. It’s just, right now, I’m focused on my family and being there with my kids. Just being dad right now. Just enjoying not having to be anywhere at any particular time, apart from school drop off and school pickup.
Former Spurs Champion Interested in Continuing Playing Career
Aron Baynes’ NBA Career
Baynes initially declared for the 2009 NBA Draft and went undrafted. However, he did not make his NBA debut until 2013 with the San Antonio Spurs. Baynes played just 16 games during his rookie season, all coming off the bench. However, he assumed a larger role the following season, starting four games of 53. Though he was still largely a backup, he still helped the Spurs win the NBA Finals in 2014. Baynes lasted one more season in San Antonio before signing with the Detroit Pistons in 2015.
After two forgettable seasons in Detroit, Baynes signed with the Boston Celtics in 2017. With the Celtics, he was given the largest role of his career. The big man started 67 games for the Celtics that season, including 12 of their 19 playoff games. Baynes spent another season in Boston, though in a much smaller role, before the team traded him to the Phoenix Suns in 2019.
Baynes had a career year in his only season in Phoenix. In 42 games during the 2019-20 season, he averaged 11.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Furthermore, he shot 48% from the field and a career-high 35.1% from the three-point line. Baynes spent the 2020-21 season, likely his final campaign in the NBA, with the Toronto Raptors.
In his nine-year NBA career, Baynes averaged 6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
The Last Word On Aron Baynes
By no means is Baynes on his way to the Basketball Hall of Fame. He never made an All-Star team, and outside of his one championship, he does not have any notable accolades. Regardless, he remains one of the most underrated big men of his time. Baynes regularly developed his game, becoming a legitimate perimeter threat by the end of his NBA career. Furthermore, he was overall a solid player who could play any role. It seems that there is a possibility of him continuing his basketball career. However, it also seems equally as unlikely.
Regardless of what happens, it seems that Baynes is satisfied with where his basketball career has taken him. And all things considered, he has every right to be.
