Aron Baynes loses contract with Raptors as accident sidelines his season

BASKETBALL

GISBORNE-born Aron Baynes has been cut from the Toronto Raptors roster, losing his $7.35 million contract.

The news came days before Baynes was hospitalised with “severe nerve damage” in his neck following a freak locker room accident during the Tokyo Olympics that has put his status for the upcoming season in jeopardy.

After starting the first 27 games of the most recent NBA season for Toronto, Baynes only made four starts in the remaining 45 games after struggling to find form on both attack and defence.

Baynes, who grew up in Australia after moving from New Zealand at age three, went undrafted in the NBA in 2009 before making his debut for the San Antonio Spurs in 2013.

A year later the Spurs went on to win an NBA championship where Baynes played 14 of the 23 playoff games.

Since 2014, Baynes has been shuffled through the Detroit Pistons, the Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns before signing with the Raptors for the 2020 season.

More recently, Baynes was a part of the Olympic bronze medal winning Australian Boomers team at the Tokyo games before he had to withdraw due to injury.

Despite his tribulations the 6’10 (208cm) 118kg centre will likely have no trouble finding a replacement team, with NBA commentators saying his experience close to the basket will be highly sought after if he would accept a less expensive contract.