Toronto Raptors: 3 players who hurt their contract value in 2020-21

2 of 3

MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 24: Aron Baynes #46 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

No. 2: C Aron Baynes

We all know the story by now. After a solid season in Phoenix, Baynes and Alex Len were brought to Toronto in order to become the starting center. Baynes has not only disappointed, but he’s become so bad that the Raptors have completely excommunicated him, as he has barely seen the floor over the last month.

Baynes is averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, and his shooting averages of 43% from the floor and 22% from 3-point range are the worst marks he’s put up in the last three seasons. Khem Birch came to Toronto after rotting on the bench in Orlando, and he’s immediately become a double-double machine.

Aron Baynes might find it hard to stick in the NBA after 2020-21.

The fact that Birch has immediately become a stud makes Baynes’ performance even more shockingly poor. While Baynes has an option for next season, the chance that he actually returns next season is about the same chance that I have at getting a date with Charlize Theron. Don’t pick up your No. 46 jerseys.

Baynes turned 34 just before the season, and a center that can’t rebound or finish inside at that age has minimal positive value for a prospective team. Heading back to a native Australia might be a better option for him, as his value is at an all-time low. In the simplest of terms, he didn’t play up to the level that the Raptors expected out of him.