It seems like the Boston Celtics are done waiting, as they look to go back at the top of the NBA next season. Last season, the Celtics got knocked off in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Cavaliers, and this summer they are trying their best to improve. They drafted Jayson Tatum as the third overall pick in this years' draft, and signed the All-Star forward Gordon Hayward to a multi-year deal. In order to make all of this work, they had to let go of Kelly Olynyk, Amir Johnson, and they traded Avery Bradley to Detroit in exchange for Marcus Morris.
The Celtics made another move on Monday, as it was announced that they will sign another former Detroit Pistons player.
Baynes and Morris teaming up again
ESPN's Chris Forsberg reported on Monday that the Boston Celtics and free-agent Aron Baynes agreed to a one-year deal. According to Forsberg, the deal is worth around $4.3 million as Baynes joins his longtime Pistons teammate - Marcus Morris, in the Celtics uniform.
Celtics to sign free-agent big man Aron Baynes, according to league source. (@ShamsCharania had it first)https://t.co/rxBMXelr1X
— Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) 9. srpnja 2017.
Baynes is a 5-year NBA pro, and he spent the previous two seasons playing for the Detroit Pistons. His best season was during the 2014/2015 campaign with the San Antonio Spurs, when he averaged 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds.
Last season with the Pistons, Baynes averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in 15.5 minutes of playing time. He is a 6-foot-10, defensive-minded center with good rebounding skills. According to ESPN, Baynes grabbed 21.6 percent of all defensive rebounds last season when he was on the floor. He will be asked to play solid defense next season with the Celtics, and be active in the rebounding department.
It also seems that Baynes is looking forward to play in Boston, as he posted this on his Twitter account:
Does anybody know if there's good BBQ in Boston? Asking for a friend 🤔☘️
— Aron Baynes (@aronbaynes) 9. srpnja 2017.
Baynes' departure means that, for now, the only two remaining big men for the Pistons are Andre Drummond and Boban Marjanovic.
The Suns keep Alan Williams
ESPN's Ian Begley reported on Monday that the Phoenix Suns and Alan Williams have agreed to a three-year deal. According to Begley, the deal is worth $17 million over the next three seasons. Williams was an unrestricted free-agent this summer, and there were reports that the New York Knicks were also interested in acquiring him.
Alan Williams' deal w/PHO is $6 million in Year 1 & $5.5 million in Years 2 & 3, per sources. More here: https://t.co/ktTYdXhjN2
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) 10. srpnja 2017.
He played 47 games for the Phoenix Suns last season, and averaged 7.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in 15.1 minutes played per game. He is a 6-foot-8 power forward with great energy and solid rebounding skills. Williams will most likely continue to come off the bench for the Suns next season.
