The Phoenix Suns have struggled without Aron Baynes in the lineup. They will need him back if they plan to finish the season strong.
One of the keys to the Phoenix Suns‘ red hot 7-4 start was veteran big man, Aron Baynes. Baynes, a career backup, was thrown into the starting lineup after the league suspended Deandre Ayton, and Baynes flourished as a starter. The Suns have cooled down since October, and if they want to finish strong, Baynes needs to be healthy.
Before coming to Phoenix, Baynes only started 109 out of his 427 regular season games played. Career averages of 5.4 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks are not ideal for what would be your starting center for 25 games.
Surprising the world, Baynes was the piece the Phoenix Suns needed to win games, averaging 14.5 points on a ridiculous 44% from 3 during the first 12 games of the season.
Baynes is a defender, a hustler, and more importantly, a teammate. Baynes is just about as unselfish as they come, never complaining, never going to social media with his frustrations. Baynes is a pro’s pro.
After playing in 12 games, Baynes missed 9 out of his next 10 games with injury. During his absence, the Suns went 3-7. Phoenix desperately needed Baynes’ defense, rebounding, and shooting back in their lineup. With both Ayton and Baynes unable to play, teams were having their way with the Suns.
After missing 10 games, Baynes returned in what would turn out to be a 16 point Suns win over Minnesota. Baynes contributed 12 points and four rebounds off the bench in 14 minutes of action. Coach Monty Williams would stay with Baynes as the backup center, with only a few games until the return of Deandre Ayton. After only playing in 1 game, Ayton suffered an ankle injury, throwing Baynes back with the starters until Ayton was healthy and played a few games off the bench to get his rhythm back.
Baynes would play in 20 straight games before once again falling to injury. Baynes has missed the last 13 games with injury, and there is still no update for his return. While hurting from the loss of Baynes, Ayton also got bit by the injury bug, missing his last 2 games with another ankle injury. Due to his injury, Ayton missed the rising stars game during All-Star weekend. With both Baynes and Ayton both injured, the Suns have been struggling.
The Phoenix Suns need Baynes back, and quickly. Even though he was going through a shooting slump, Baynes still contributes every second he’s on the floor. The Suns are currently 12th in the West and surely will continue to fall without him.