Aron Baynes declines player option, becomes unrestricted free agent

Today, the news was made official that Australian enforcer Aron Baynes has declined his $6.5 million player option and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, as first reported by Shams Charania of The Vertical.

While this was the most commonly accepted option that was likely to be undertaken by Baynes for most of the offseason, there was some persistent speculation that he may have opted in due to unfinished business.

As it stands, the Pistons center rotation now stands at Andre Drummond and Boban Marjanovic, who are slated to earn over $30 million combined this coming season. Baynes opting out means he and his agent believe his value lies above the $6.5 million figure, meaning were he to rejoin the Pistons during free agency there would be, you would think, at least $40 million committed to the Pistons center rotation.

It’s fair to say that Baynes, once viewed as an overpay by Pistons fans in the summer of 2015, has performed admirably over his tenure, even arguably playing like the best center on the team last season. If he has indeed played his last game for the Pistons, he was a wonderful servant to the franchise and we wish him well in the future

What do you think Pistons fans? Discuss below.

PS: I’m not crying you’re crying.