Inside The Celtics

Working Towards NBA Return, Aron Baynes Signs with NBL's Brisbane Bullets

Baynes last played in the NBA in the 2020-21 season, averaging 6.1 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Toronto Raptors.

Bobby Krivitsky

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

A year ago, at the Tokyo Olympics, a freak fall temporarily left Aron Baynes unable to walk. It happened between the third and fourth quarters of the Australian national team's game against Italy last July 28, when the veteran NBA center took off running so he could use the restroom and make it back in time for the start of the final frame.

The accident hospitalized Baynes for months. But his determination, not only to walk again but continue his basketball career, fueled him through rehabilitation from a spinal injury.

The 35-year-old didn't pick up a basketball until January, but his relentless pursuit to get back to the NBA put him in a position to work out for teams in Las Vegas as it served as the NBA's epicenter during Summer League.

While Baynes left without a contract, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the next step in his comeback is with the NBL's Brisbane Bullets, with whom he's signed a two-year contract. The deal includes a provision allowing Baynes to get out of it if an NBA team comes calling.

Baynes, who spent two years with the Celtics and won a championship with the Spurs in 2014, has averaged six points and 4.6 rebounds over his nine-year NBA career that hopefully isn't finished.

Further Reading

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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