On this day in Boston Celtics history, the team signed Australian big man Aron Baynes in free agency to a one-year deal worth $4.3 million in 2017. All of Australia — as he was sometimes called — quickly became an invaluable part of the Celtics front line, known for his excellent defense and verticality as much as his unexpectedly solid 3-point shooting with the team.
A New Zealander by birth, Baynes played for the team for two seasons before he was dealt away to the Phoenix Suns in order to help make cap room for major roster reshuffling following the disastrous 2018-19 season (no fault of Aron’s, really).
The big man averaged 5.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while with the franchise.
