Aron

Baynes

Baynes last suited up in the NBA during the 2020-21 season, which was his ninth year in the league. He spent time with the Spurs, Suns, Celtics, Pistons and Raptors before finishing out his playing career in the NBL. He suffered a serious spinal cord injury during the 2021 Olympics, but he was able to return to playing before finally calling it a career.

Baynes didn’t have a block but reportedly looks like one of the better big men in all of the NBL in Australia. The fact he’s playing at all after a spinal cord injury suffered in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics is very encouraging and he has an out in his NBL contract to make a return to the NBA should the opportunity arise.

The contract has an NBA out so Baynes can return to the league, and it’s an incredible development after he took a scary fall at the Olympics just about a year ago. Returning to the NBA will be Baynes’ ultimate goal, but the fact that he’s playing the sport at all in the near future is truly incredible -- he had to relearn how to walk at one point. This is bigger than basketball and it goes without saying that we hope his recovery goes smoothly from here on out and we see him on any court as soon as possible.

Baynes is looking to make a return to the court after a scary injury he sustained during the Tokyo Olympics, and he recently had a workout for NBA teams in Las Vegas. No word on how many NBA teams have expressed interest just yet, but he could showcase himself in the NBL and if all goes well that could result in another offer from the NBA. To be clear, nothing is imminent here, but it would be good to see Baynes back in action after overcoming a severe neck injury.

Due to a scary spinal cord injury suffered during the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021, Baynes sat out the entire 2021-22 NBA season. Now healthy, he’ll work out for multiple teams on Friday in Las Vegas, in hopes of earning an opportunity. Given the nature of his injury, which left him in hospitals in Tokyo and Brisbane for the better part of two months after it originally happened, it’s amazing that Baynes has gotten back to this point. He did not resume playing basketball until January, so there will likely be some rust on display during the veteran center’s workout.

Baynes was not with his Australian teammates when they received their bronze medals on Saturday and Charania is reporting Baynes neck injury is far more significant than initially diagnosed. Devastating news for the big man, who was waived by the Raptors earlier this week. We’ll hope for the best and keep an eye out for updates.

Baynes appeared in 53 games for the Raptors, making 31 starts with averages of 6.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, Baynes’ $7.35 million contract was set to be guaranteed had they kept him past Thursday, so with this move, Toronto now is $9.3 million below the luxury tax with four roster spots available.

Baynes collided with Bradley Beal just four minutes into this exhibition game as Australia, and Team USA both prepare for Olympic play. Baynes eventually returned to the bench but did not return to the game, thus it is unclear how severe the injury is. Baynes played for the Toronto Raptors this season where he appeared in 53 games, making 31 starts and averaging 6.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 18.5 minutes per game.

Baynes’ second double-double of the season came in the Raptors’ season finale. He was the only reserve who played for the Raptors, who yet again opted to rest Chris Boucher, but it’s the ultimate example of too little, too late for Baynes. He flopped as a starter to begin the year and will be an unrestricted free agent since there’s no chance Toronto guarantees his $7.3 million salary for 2021-22.

Assuming Baynes is cleared, the Raptors will have 10 available players this evening. Even that’s not enough to make Baynes relevant in fantasy leagues.