Toronto Raptors: 3 players who are not returning next season

No. 1: C Aron Baynes

Baynes was signed in the off-season after the Raptors’ management low-balled Serge Ibaka in contract negotiations. In the ninth year of his career, Baynes has never played more than 22 minutes a game except for last season with the Phoenix Suns.

The expectation that he could adequately fill the starter role at the center position was misguided. Baynes has been an average backup center for most of his career, and he’s playing like that despite playing in a role that is vital to Nick Nurse’s philosophy on both sides of the ball.

Aron Baynes has been a huge disappointment for the Toronto Raptors

Now 34 years old, Baynes is averaging 5.9 points and 5.1 rebounds and is a -9 on the season. It’s no wonder the Raptors are the NBA’s worst rebounding team and the third-worst scoring in the paint at 42 points per game. In the 41 games he has played as a Raptor, he has started in 29. but lately finds himself coming off the bench and averaging 18 minutes a game of playing time.

The deal that Baynes signed with the Toronto Raptors was a 1+1 deal with the second year a team option. With management saving cap space and Baynes’ poor performance, it is almost certain that the Raptors will decline the team option at $7.3 million on the Australian this summer.