Phoenix Suns: Time for Aron Baynes to return to early season glory

The Phoenix Suns will play very short-handed once again Friday night with Ayton and others sidelined. It is time for Aron Baynes to return to his early-season glory.

When Deandre Ayton found himself suspended after just one (very solid) game into the 2019-2020 Phoenix Suns season, all eyes turned to the bearded Australian beast, Aron Baynes to fill the void at the center position.

Like a mighty superhero, Baynes did exactly that. He swooped in and saved the Suns from certain doom, playing at a career pace and utilizing his newfound weapon of mass destruction, the 3-point shot.

While Ayton was out (including the five games he missed due to turning his ankle in his first game back), Baynes posted quality numbers per game: 13.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.7 blocks (best on the team), and 36.3 percent from behind the arc.

Baynes played so well, there were even some whispers about whether he should continue to start after Ayton returned. In hindsight, that talk was likely due to acute frustration, some fair and some not so fair, aimed at Ayton, but there was no doubt Baynes was a worthy substitute for the first part of the year.

When Ayton did finally return to the lineup, it was to be expected Baynes numbers would diminish. However, after his own series of injuries and playing with the second unit, Baynes’ numbers took a big hit.

Since Ayton came back, Baynes is averaging a less-impressive 7.1 points, 5.3 boards, 0.3 blocks, 25 percent from 3, and the trajectory is not good.

In his last 6 games, not including the last game where he recorded his first DNP-CD of the season, Baynes is averaging 5.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.2 blocks, and 30% from 3-point range.

But now, opportunity rises once again. Ayton is still recovering from a twisted ankle he suffered Tuesday night and is listed as doubtful for Friday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Just one game removed after Monty decided not to play him (granted, it was mostly due to matchups and Toronto’s small-ball lineup), Baynes will likely see a lot of playing time.

It is time he dons the superhero cape once again and comes out with a vengeance. Ayton is not expected to be sidelined very long, so his window for increased playing time may be limited.

It is games like this that may earn or cost him a ton of money next season when he becomes a free agent. Also, it is games like this that will help decide if the Phoenix Suns want to pay that yet-to-be-known dollar figure.

For the immediate purpose, though, I’d love to see him be a force in this game and prove his early season success was no fluke, and that while Ayton’s presence and injuries may weaken him, they are not full-blown Kryptonite.