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Boston Celtics keeping what they trust with Aron Baynes

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics is introduced before Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics on May 27, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics is introduced before Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics on May 27, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics are expected to bring back one of their most trusted defenders in Aron Baynes

The Boston Celtics are wasting no time figuring out what their team is going to look like next season. Shortly after the signing of Brad Wanamaker was announced, it was reported that the Celtics are expected to bring free agent Aron Baynes back this season.

Everyone could tell both sides wanted to make something work. He was too valuable to the Celtics last year to just be disregarded, and Baynes embraced everything this franchise was doing, and become a real part of the identity.

There were always going to be questions about potential price, because the Celtics really do not have any extra money to play with. Obviously, it was not difficult for both parties to find a number that they were happy with, because Baynes should be back in the spot that revitalized his career last season.

Keep in mind, even if they are bringing Baynes back, that does not mean he will have the same role. The Celtics have a much more talented roster, and even more versatility. They have defensive specialists coming off the bench, and it will be difficult for Baynes to maintain a role.

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The difference is that he is their lone traditional big, and was reliable and consistent on offense. The Celtics know how to use him and they know when he needs to be used. Last season, he was a prominent part of all strong defenisve cores, and did not hold them back too much on offense.

Next season, the Celtics are going to have a lot more options, and there is going to be more competition ahead of him. Robert Williams is the best candidate to become the dominant interior presence, and he has all the athletic versatility that Baynes lacks.

The bottom line is that Baynes is a player that Stevens can trust as much as anyone, especially on defense. When you have that defenisve trust, the Celtics are going to want to keep you around, and Baynes did more than enough to earn another spot on this team next season.

They have a completely unsettled front court, with wings that will be taking more minutes than ever. They also have Daniel Theis and Semi Ojeleye on top of the rookie, and that is a lot of defensive front court competition.

Baynes will offer something a bit different than all of them, and the defensive dominance of him with Horford will be difficult to overcome. Baynes will be starting ahead of the lot, because of how much more he did last season.

Even so, Baynes has to know that there is a lot of young players that will be chasing any kind of role he has this season, and it will get harder to maintain as the season goes on. There are no sure things, so the Celtics are making sure they have the option they can trust. In the end, however, Baynes will probably have to be even better than last season to keep getting consistent minutes.

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It is great news to hear that Baynes is expected to come back, and it further settles what could be one of the quickest free agencies we have seen in a while for the Celtics. They are solidifying their final positions, and the Celtics would not have found a better, cheaper option than Baynes in the open market.

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