Could the San Antonio Spurs reunite with Aron Baynes in the offseason?

An unrestricted free agent this offseason, former San Antonio Spurs center Aron Baynes could bring some much-needed grit to the River City.

Drastic changes are being made up and down the San Antonio Spurs roster. As the youth movement takes full effect, the team will still need some veterans to lean on when the going gets tough. This off-season could be the perfect opportunity for San Antonio to reunite with center Aron Baynes.

The Australian big man made his debut in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs back in 2013. He provided some muscle for a Spurs group in pursuit of NBA Finals appearances in 2013 and 2014. Although many fans will remember a young Baynes being thwarted by Blake Griffin in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, the 33-year-old has learned a lot since then.

Playing in an expanded role with the Phoenix Suns, Baynes averaged 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in 22.2 minutes per game this season. Not only did he take a career-high 9.1 shots per contest, but he also expanded his range. On four attempts per game, Baynes hit 35.1% of his 3-pointers this year. It was a revelation for an upstart Suns team that made a splash inside the Orlando bubble.

Early in the season, Baynes filled in as the starting center for the Suns. Former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton was suspended for 25 games early in the season, leaving a major gap for Baynes to fill. In that span, Baynes proved to the world that he is worthy of a starting position in the league. Unfortunately, there aren’t many teams that can offer him one.

Enter the San Antonio Spurs: a team amidst an unlikely rebuild on the fly hoping to compete while handing the reins to a young core. Just as he provided veteran mentorship in Phoenix, San Antonio would benefit from having the big man in a role off the bench.

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