Detroit Pistons: Aron Baynes undecided on player option

Detroit Pistons center Aron Baynes has a player option for next season and could cash in by opting out, however that decision has not been made.

It was considered a bit of an overpay when the Detroit Pistons signed Aron Baynes to a three-year deal averaging $6.5 million per season. With a skyrocketing salary cap and corresponding rise in player salaries the last two years, Baynes’ contract has turned into a bargain, bringing in to serious doubt if he would stay with the Pistons for the third an final year of the deal or exercise his right to opt out.

Last offseason, the Pistons signed Boban Marjanovic to a three-year deal averaging $7 million per season, showing just how much inflation there had been in the market.

Despite the higher salary, Marjanovic was never supposed to unseat Baynes as the number two center. The move was seen as a means to protect against Baynes opting out of his contract following the 2016-2017 season.

However, that may not be as certain of happening as expected. According to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, Baynes has not made a decision about his option and likely won’t until closer to the June 20 deadline.

It would still seem unlikely Baynes would choose not to opt out considering that would set him up for a second year ahead of Marjanovic on the depth chart but with a smaller salary. Maybe Baynes and his agent know something we don’t know but it wouldn’t seem that he would have a problem finding bigger money than $6.5 million per year when that number is already eclipsed by centers like Marjanovic, Cole Aldrich and Kosta Koufos.

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The June 20 deadline for Baynes’ decision on his option is just one of many important dates for the Pistons this offseason. The NBA Draft Lottery will be held May 16, the NBA Draft is June 22 and free agency begins July 1.