One of the first agreements that occurred at the start of free agency in July was Aron Baynes coming to terms with the Celtics on a two-year, $11-million deal. There was no press conference to announce the deal (Baynes didn't want one), but the impact of the signing should not be underrated. The Celtics played their best defense of the season all year long with the veteran center on the floor, and Baynes helped limit the production of stars like Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the postseason with his defensive strength and savvy while also contributing with his outside shot.
BostonSportsJournal.com recently caught up with the 31-year-old center for his first extended interview since rejoining the Celtics. Baynes touched on a number of topics including his decision to come back to Boston, whether he had other free agent suitors, his emerging 3-point shot, the challenge of facing Kawhi Leonard in Toronto and what lies ahead for this team next season.
You haven't spoken publicly since re-signing with Boston earlier this month. What are your initial thoughts about being back in green for a couple years?
Baynes:
You mentioned everyone is coming back from the team's core, Marcus Smart included. How valuable is that continuity going to be for you guys entering this year after having so many new faces last year?
Baynes:
What was the free agency process like for you? Did you talk to other teams at all or were you pretty set on coming back to Boston?
Baynes:
It's been almost two months now since Game 7. You dealt with a similar experience in 2013 with the Spurs. Has the pain faded at all from coming up just short against the Cavs with time or is it a constant motivating factor for you every day still?
Baynes:
A big part of the C's postseason success was your 3-point shooting contributions. You were actually the best playoff shooter from downtown (47 percent on the team). How big was that for your confidence to be able to sustain that success after struggling so much with it during the regular season?
Baynes:
Brad (Stevens)
So you are not aiming to enter the 3-point shootout next season?
Baynes:
Do you feel like having that 3-point shot more established will allow more opportunity for you to play in games? Maybe go big a bit more?
Baynes:
You guys are going to have a lot more depth available this year and that could result in a change in the starting five. You started 67 of 81 games last year. Do you care about whether you are starting or coming off the bench? Would you rather have a set rotation in place or do you mind mixing it up?
Baynes:
Marcus (Smart)
Robert Williams mentioned working out with you a few times already. What has that experience been like and what are your early impressions of him?
Baynes:
How are you feeling after nose surgery and getting a few weeks of rest here?
Baynes:
What has your summer been like so far? Have you stayed around Boston?
Baynes:
You spent a few years playing with Kawhi Leonard, who is now in Toronto. What are your impressions of taking on the Raptors now that he's in the fold up north?
Baynes:
DeMar (DeRozan
How weird was it to see things end like that between Kawhi Leonard and San Antonio?
Baynes:
Jaylen Brown mentioned he would have preferred LeBron James stayed in the East so he could get another shot at him this postseason. Do you share that mindset or are you happy it's one less thing to worry about in the East?
Baynes:
Have you caught up with some of the other guys this summer?
Baynes:
Gordon (Hayward
Daniel) Theis
Looking ahead to next season, what changes about your expectations having this group at full strength?
Baynes
Kyrie (Irving)
