PHOENIX SUNS

Report: Former Suns center Aron Baynes agrees to deal with Raptors

Nov 22, 2020, 5:57 PM

Aron Baynes #46 of the Phoenix Suns points during the second half of the NBA game against the Phila...

Aron Baynes #46 of the Phoenix Suns points during the second half of the NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the 76ers 114-109. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Free agent and former Phoenix Suns center Aron Baynes has agreed to a deal with the Toronto Raptors, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Baynes, 33, was a crucial piece for the Suns last season, filling in for center Deandre Ayton when Ayton was suspended 25 games for failing a drug test. The veteran began to post career-high numbers, but they came on career-high minutes as well, which led to Baynes getting hurt and not being the same player the rest of the season.

Baynes tested positive for COVID-19 shortly before the Suns started to prepare for the bubble in Orlando, and Baynes told Charania that the virus hit him hard, leaving him unable to train for a month. He did not play in Orlando.

Baynes averaged 11.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, all career bests, playing 42 games and starting 28.

The loss of Baynes is one that will leave the Suns without a key veteran presence on the court defensively and in the locker room, a role that will surely be filled by Chris Paul. With the Suns drafting Maryland big man Jalen Smith 10th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, Smith figures to take some of the minutes Baynes had in the rotation last season.

Baynes was acquired during the 2019 NBA Draft from the Boston Celtics, along with a first-round pick Phoenix used to select Ty Jerome.

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