Baynes will bring brawn to interior
WALTHAM — Coming off a season in which they were outrebounded by 2.5 a game, it was clear the Celtics needed to add a bit of muscle under the rim. Welcome Aron Baynes. The Celtics introduced the 6-foot-10 Australian yesterday and showed off how he’ll look in green.
“He adds rebounding and toughness to our team that we really need,” Celtics assistant general manager Mike Zarren said. “Red Auerbach said get the instigators and not the retaliators and Aron is definitely an instigator.”
His presence fills a much-needed hole off the bench behind Al Horford following the free agent departures of Kelly Olynyk (Miami) and Amir Johnson (Philadelphia). In 15.5 minutes per game with the Pistons, Baynes averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds.
“I think being in the NBA, everyone wants to play more. If you don’t want to play more, you’re not in the right spot,” he said. “I’m excited for the opportunity and hopefully I can go out there and earn some minutes. We’ll see if what I bring is what (coach) Brad (Stevens) wants. I’m hoping it is and looking forward to it.”
Instead of continuing to play behind Andre Drummond, Baynes elected to opt out of his contract and test free agency.
“I would say that was definitely part of it. Like I said, you always want to be able to play more and I didn’t see myself having much more of a bigger role than what I had over the last couple years,” he said. “I’m always trying to expand my game in terms of what I can do on the floor and with opportunity comes that ability to do that.”
The Washington State product played his first three seasons in San Antonio, appearing in 14 playoff games for the Spurs’ NBA championship team in 2013-14. He signed with Detroit in July 2015. In 295 career regular season games, Baynes has averaged 5.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and has a 51.4 field goal percentage.
Marcus Morris, his teammate the past two seasons in Detroit before being traded to the Celtics, praised his toughness and work ethic.
“That’s the type of guy you want to play with and not against,” Morris said. “I’m happy he’s on our team and think he’s going to be a big, major piece for us.”
After a brief press conference, Baynes’ second order of business with his new team was to meet a group of basketball campers on the practice floor at the Celtics facility. During a Q-and-A session, he said he will wear No. 46, the sum of the month (8), date (23) and last two digits of the year (15) of his son Mason’s birth. Terry Rozier already holds the No. 12 jersey Baynes wore with the Pistons.
The notion of him joining the Celtics took an interesting turn on July 9 when he sent out a tweet looking for barbecue recommendations in Boston. The exchange gave people a chance to see a glimpse of his personality.
“I haven’t had any barbecue, but I’ve been trying a few lobster rolls around town but that’s for the strength and conditioning guys to work on,” said Baynes, who tips the scales at 260 pounds.
“I’m definitely getting out there and experiencing the food and that’s one of the positives of coming to a bigger city. . . . I wouldn’t call myself a foodie but I enjoy food.”