Boston Celtics: 2 veteran replacements for Vincent Poirier

Aron Baynes

When the Boston Celtics signed Vincent Poirier this offseason, they believed they were adding a player to soften the blow of losing both Al Horford and Aron Baynes. Now, as of this publication and pretty much for the entirety of the 2019-20 season, it’s safe to say we would love to have a redo with both of these players exits — especially with Baynes due to his very friendly $5.4 million contract.

Recently, we released an article discussing three specific free agents the Cs should consider persuing this offseason. It should come as no surprise that we threw Baynes on this list.

"On the year, the veteran big finds himself putting up solid averages of 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds on 48 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent shooting from deep while serving as the backup to the promising young talent Deandre Ayton. However, he also proved to be a revelation for the team during the earlier stages of the season while Ayton served his suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. Through the first eight games of the season, Baynes saw himself averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 0.9 blocks in 24.9 minutes per game while shooting 58.8 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from deep. Though things slowly started to wind down as the season progressed the 33-year-old saw himself posting career averages virtually all across the board."

That last part may have people a bit perplexed.

“How would the Boston Celtics be able to sign Aron Baynes after having a career season!?”

In any other year we wouldn’t expect a team like the Celtics — who can really offer no more than a Mid-Level Exception — to be realistically in the running for Baynes. However, this is no ordinary year.

With the salary-cap expected to plunge this offseason, being apart of the 2020 free agency class will not exactly pan out as one may have originally hoped. Though in recent years a team may have been willing to reward Baynes with a somewhat lucrative payday for his career numbers, this offseason he may find out that the best deal he can receive will be exactly what the C’s could offer: an MLE.

Familiarity with coach Brad Stevens’ system and the legitimate shot to start for a contender — unlike his current predicament with the Suns — all make the idea of a Baynes/ Celtics reunion seem like an actual reality.

With the fact that the team has both this and — if our hypothesis is correct — likely the same offer as many of the other teams vying for his services, you have a legitimate chance at seeing the Aussie big once again don green & white threads come 2020-21.