Grade the deal: Pistons overpay for Aron Baynes in three-year deal

The Detroit Pistons and free-agent center Aron Baynes have reportedly agreed to a three-year, $20 million deal. Baynes will help fill the void left by departed big man Greg Monroe.

The Detroit Pistons and free-agent center Aron Baynes have agreed to a three-year deal, reports ESPN's Marc Stein. 

The deal will contain a player option after year two, according to Stein. He reports that it could be worth as much as $20 million. 

Baynes, 28, spent the first three years of his career with the San Antonio Spurs. The 6'10" center averaged 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in 2014-15, both of which were career highs. He shot 56.6% from the field and started 17 games for San Antonio, appearing in 70 overall.

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The Pistons finished 32-50 last season, missing the playoffs.

Grade: C-

Baynes is a fine basketball player deserving of an NBA contract—just not this contract. While adding size is nice in light of Greg Monroe’s departure, it’s hard to believe that a fringe rotation big like Baynes would demand this kind of market and have the pull to get a third-year player option. This is a small deal in the context of all the money flying around this summer. Even so, the Pistons (who already have plenty of dead money on the books as a result of waiving Josh Smith), could have spent $20 million more wisely than this. — Rob Mahoney

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