San Antonio Spurs Re-Signing Aron Baynes Completes Roster
By Dan Schultz
@DSchultz89
Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs have reportedly come to terms with free agent center Aron Baynes, who has played for the team during the last two seasons. The 6-foot-10 big man was rumored to be considering the Spurs as well as potentially more lucrative overseas options after a strong summer showing in the 2014 FIBA World Cup where he averaged 16.8 PPG and 7.0 RPG for the Australian national team.
The 27-year-old became a fan-favorite quickly with the team since he first signed, earning the nickname “Big Banger” due to his strong, physical style of play. His breakthrough game in the NBA came this past postseason, when he put up 10 points and seven rebounds in only 15 minutes of play in Game 1 of the 2014 Western Conference Semifinals series against the Portland Trail Blazers.
With rumors swirling that the team was looking at players like Earl Clark, Michael Beasley and Ray Allen, it appeared at the time that Baynes may have been on the way out since it was believed that he wanted a bigger role and more money.
In the end, however, the opportunity to return to San Antonio and continue his career with the Spurs proved to be his ultimate desire. With Tiago Splitter and Jeff Ayres being the only listed centers on the team, it made sense to bring him back to help balance out the roster in order to provide them with the necessary muscle they wanted from their third-string center.
The Spurs have now brought back the entire squad that won the 2014 NBA Championship. In a day and age where big blockbuster trades take the spotlight and headlines, the Spurs continue to do business quietly and efficiently. By bringing back the same team, their chemistry will once again be off the charts coming into this season.
And that’s a scary thing for any opponent to play against coming into this season.
Dan Schultz is an NBA sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @dschultz89. “Like” him on Facebook and add him on Google.
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