Aron Baynes should be a target for the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency
After drafting Kira Lewis Jr., the New Orleans Pelicans have six players who can or have played point guard.
Lonzo Ball, Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, Kira Lewis Jr. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Frank Jackson have all played the point, though none of them would qualify as a “traditional” point guard except Lonzo.
I imagine the Pelicans moving at least one or two of them via trade to balance out the roster. Regardless, the Pelicans should focus on adding some big man depth in free agency.
Aron Baynes deserves a look from the Pelicans.
Baynes will most likely decide to opt-out of his contract and look to move out of Phoenix since the Suns drafted Jalen Smith at number 10.
Kevin O’Connor believes New Orleans to be a possible location.
Whoa Jalen Smith is interesting for the Suns. NBA execs fully expect Aron Baynes to leave Phoenix (with New Orleans as a distinct possibility) so Smith can fill that stretch-5 role. I fully expect Monty Williams to use some double-big lineups too. Smith can stroke 3s like a wing. https://t.co/GwBxQiWtJR
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) November 19, 2020
Aaron Baynes could be the perfect fit with the New Orleans Pelicans in free agency
Aron Baynes is coming off the best season in his career. And the big man brings more to the table than you would think.
Baynes put up averages of 11.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, & 1.6 APG in 22.2 minutes per game last season. He also developed a 3-point shot out of nowhere and shot 35 percent from behind the arc, while taking four a game.
In today’s game, it is crucial to have a center that can spread the floor and Baynes can now be considered a threat from outside. This could open up the paint for Zion Williamson, giving him easier looks inside. Last year, while playing with a center like Favors it often clogged the paint and made it more difficult for Zion to score.
If you’ve ever seen Baynes play he is a force to be reckoned with. Just think of Bane from Batman. That’s literally him. He is one of the strongest players in the league at 6-foot-10, 260 lbs.
I really like the idea of Zion and Baynes down low protecting the paint.
The greatest thing about adding Baynes to the Pelicans roster is that he wouldn’t cost as much capital compared to a player like Serge Ibaka or Hassan Whiteside.
The Pelicans should be able to sign Baynes on a deal of 6-8 mil a year versus 18-23 mil a year for an Ibaka or Whiteside.
I don’t know if Aron Baynes is worthy enough to start all year for the Pelicans at 33 years old, but he could play some valuable minutes if the New Orleans Pelicans are able to snag him and another big man in free agency.
It’s no secret that the Pelicans will be making some moves come free agency following the decisions they’ve made thus far. Adding big man depth is a must.