The Detroit Pistons will have some important decisions to make this offseason. They hold a lottery pick in the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft and one of their most productive players in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is scheduled to become a restricted free agent.
Before those issues can be dealt with however, it was reported that Aron Baynes, their primary backup center, will decline his player option for the 2017-18 season and hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Following from The Vertical’s Shams Charania:
Sources: Detroit center Aron Baynes has declined his $6.5 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2017
While Aron Baynes isn’t a big name that will have teams clamoring, he did a more than serviceable job backing up Andre Drummond in Detroit for the past two seasons. The grit and solid interior presence Baynes brings could be something playoff teams covet when looking for another reserve big to add to their roster.
With Baynes opting out of his contract, the Pistons are now left with Drummond and Boban Marjanovic to hold down the rotation at center. Holding the 12th pick in the draft later this week, they could snag another frontcourt piece or decide that what they have can suffice for now.
The Pistons could bring back Baynes if they were interested but it would come at a much heftier price tag. Look for Baynes to find a consistent role in a team’s big man rotation next season on a deal that could pay up to around $10M annually.
