Australian NBA free agent Aron Baynes is closing in on a return to the title-winning San Antonio Spurs.
After remaining unsigned since the Spurs clinched a fifth NBA championship on June 20, rumours began to mount of Baynes signing elsewhere, even moving as far as China under the allure of a substantial contract offer. However the San Antonio Express-News reports the 208cm backup looks set to once again join forces with compatriot Patty Mills and re-sign with the Spurs after reportedly undergoing a physical with the team, a formality before signing a new deal.
The 27-year-old played a small role for San Antonio last season, averaging three points and 2.7 rebounds in just over nine minutes per game as the Spurs rolled Miami to win a first championship in seven seasons.
He spent the offseason with the Australian national team, averaging 17 points and seven rebounds in a stellar campaign for the Boomers at the FIBA World Cup.
Mills, an important bench cog for the Spurs, was quicker to re-up with the team, inking a three-year, US$13 million deal in early July, despite sustaining a serious shoulder injury which will keep the point guard out of action until at least January.
The two made headlines in July when they video bombed a Fox Sports news report with the famous Larry O’Brien trophy in hand, hilariously drawing the ire of reporter Julian de Stoop.
Photo: Richard Lautens/Getty Images
