Raptors: Is there any hope left for Aron Baynes in Toronto?

When the Toronto Raptors had to watch Marc Gasol become a Laker and Serge Ibaka put on Clippers colors, signing Australian big man Aron Baynes seemed like a perfect signing. Fresh of averaging 11.5 points per game, almost twice his previous career-high, with the Phoenix Suns, Baynes looked like a perfect center for a team that values post play and interior scoring.

The 34-year-old Australian and his wacky fan could’ve become a cult hero in Toronto, but he has really struggled on the offensive side of the ball. Baynes’ scoring has completely evaporated, as he is averaging 5.6 points per game while chipping in just 5.5 boards per game. For a starting center on a playoff team, that’s not the most productive statline.

His shooting percentages are what is really driving the nail into his coffin. Baynes is making just 40 percent of his shots despite shooting most of his shots in the paint. His performance beyond the arc isn’t much better, as Baynes is making just 23 percent of his threes. Compared to Gasol and Ibaka, this has been an embarrassing showing.

Barring a trade for a player like Atlanta’s John Collins, the Raptors are likely to retain Baynes and keep trying to justify the contract they doled out to him in the offseason. With Baynes likely not going anywhere soon, can the Raptors really rely on a player like him being a stable fixture in the rotation?

Can Aron Baynes turn things around?

The trait that will always guarantee him playing time is his trademark Aron Baynes interior defense, as his bulk can help the Raptors defend against teams that play small. Nick Nurse needs to decide if his defensive skills outweigh his inability to provide a ton on the offensive end. So far, it appears that sticking Chris Boucher on the bench in favor of Baynes has been a massive failure.

Baynes might not demand the ball frequently, but his inability to convert easy chances near the rim, has limited Toronto on offense. The pick and roll, such a vital part of Nurse’s offense over the last two years, has been much less effective, as the rest of the Raptors clearly have seen that Baynes isn’t a great finisher in the paint.

The Raptors are averaging just 92.1 points per 100 possessions when Baynes is on the floor, which is one of the worst marks in the league for a big man. This is simply not a sustainable style of play, barring a major, unforeseen change from Baynes.

There is still a spot for Baynes on this team, as his interior defense could come in handy when the Raptors need to grind out wins. However, he is pitiful on the offensive end, and his history doesn’t seem to suggest that a turnaround is coming. For the sake of the Raptors’ offense, Baynes needs to be given a reduced role.