Help me stop worrying about Aron Baynes' importance

[Rick Robeys Return]

The C's are currently ranked 2nd in the NBA in defensive rating (95.1 per 100 possessions; Clippers at 92.8 ). This has been a bit of a life savers for the team, given the state of the offense, both generally with the number of new pieces (new PG, etc. etc.), and  with the loss of Hayward.

As for the players, it is Baynes who is tops amongst the Cs as to defensive rating, at 6th in league amongst players with more than 15 mins per game (88.1 pts/per 100). Of course, Horford, Rozier and Brown are also highly rated and Steven's matching up of the bigs has been crucial to our defensive performance e.g. Horford on Giannis, Simmons and Porzingis, Baynes on Monroe and Embid. All this has me thinking about the importance of Baynes.

I've started worrying about losing Baynes. either short term to injury, or the fact that he is only on a one-year contract for relatively little money ($4.3 mill). I know this is a little absurd so early in the season, but should we be looking to sign another big (it's ok if we wait a few months to do it) with our Disabled Player Exception? Thies has been Ok, but I wouldnt want to rely on him as a full time Baynes replacement, same with Dancing Bear. Any other advice to talk me down?

[CelticsElite]

I thought the same thing. We could lose baynes and smart next and it would be a shame

[D Dub]

Don’t forget about Marcus Morris

He was slated to be our number 2 big all along

[Rick Robeys Return]

Don’t forget about Marcus Morris

He was slated to be our number 2 big all along

Fair point about MM. I'm a little less expectant than some, but even if he meets expectation he is a 4. Not going to replace what Baynes brings as a Center, and forcing Al to bang with the real bigs does not maximise Horford's value defensively. 

[positivitize]

I am also worried about retaining both Smart and Baeynes next season. They are both crazy important for our team and I'm not sure how we'll be able to retain both of them without a trade that opens up some space (unlikely).

[D Dub]

Don’t forget about Marcus Morris

He was slated to be our number 2 big all along

Fair point about MM. I'm a little less expectant than some, but even if he meets expectation he is a 4. Not going to replace what Baynes brings as a Center, and forcing Al to bang with the real bigs does not maximise Horford's value defensively.

Sure they list him at four, but I expect him to play up a position like the rest of league. 

Kinda like how folks still don’t want to call Tatum a PF despite him being our starting four. 

[2short]

I'm all for giving baynes the $.  He fits real nice with team

[GreenWarrior]

depth at center and PF are necessary for this team. I don't expect a full season from Horford, Baynes, Morris & Theis... I just don't see it happening. and morris i'd be surprised if he's contributing quality mins. till after Christmas at this point.

I could care less about the reg. season but it'd be nice to have some bigs for the playoffs that are familiar with the system if someone should go down.

[IDreamCeltics]

Don’t forget about Marcus Morris

He was slated to be our number 2 big all along

Fair point about MM. I'm a little less expectant than some, but even if he meets expectation he is a 4. Not going to replace what Baynes brings as a Center, and forcing Al to bang with the real bigs does not maximise Horford's value defensively.

Sure they list him at four, but I expect him to play up a position like the rest of league. 

Kinda like how folks still don’t want to call Tatum a PF despite him being our starting four.

Eww gross. If Marcus Morris is playing meaningful minutes the season is already over.  When has a Morris brother ever been involved in winning anything other than a felony assault trial?

[Eja117]

One of the few things I'd say to try to ease your fear is that at least we have some draft picks that are expected to have a shot to add decent young bigs. Also some of our younger guys should get better at defense. Semi, Yabu, Tatum, Jaylen, Theis, Rozier, and Nader could all take steps forward.

[KGs Knee]

Don’t forget about Marcus Morris

He was slated to be our number 2 big all along

Fair point about MM. I'm a little less expectant than some, but even if he meets expectation he is a 4. Not going to replace what Baynes brings as a Center, and forcing Al to bang with the real bigs does not maximise Horford's value defensively.

Sure they list him at four, but I expect him to play up a position like the rest of league. 

Kinda like how folks still don’t want to call Tatum a PF despite him being our starting four. 

Morris is already playing up a position playing at the 4. Morris came into the league as a 3 and has played about half of his minutes there throughout his career, including last season with Detroit.

[mr. dee]

- Either we convey the LAL pick and use it to draft his replacement.
- Yabu improves
- Danny finds another diamond in the rough with no-name free-agents

[nickagneta]

You can't worry about players getting injured or you will go nuts. Players play the game and injuries happen. All you can do is hope they don't happen to your players.

As for losing Baynes in the offseason, we still will have the MLE to use to se ure his services. And if that's not enough, you just have to look for a replacement.

[Smitty77]

Can we go over the cap to re-sign him next year?

Smitty77

[jambr380]

Don’t forget about Marcus Morris

He was slated to be our number 2 big all along

Fair point about MM. I'm a little less expectant than some, but even if he meets expectation he is a 4. Not going to replace what Baynes brings as a Center, and forcing Al to bang with the real bigs does not maximise Horford's value defensively.

Sure they list him at four, but I expect him to play up a position like the rest of league. 

Kinda like how folks still don’t want to call Tatum a PF despite him being our starting four.

Eww gross. If Marcus Morris is playing meaningful minutes the season is already over.  When has a Morris brother ever been involved in winning anything other than a felony assault trial?

What? 

While not world beaters, both Morris brothers played big minutes on the surprising 2013-14 Suns team that won 48 games. And even though the Pistons haven't been world beaters since Marcus began playing there, he actually played solid minutes and was one of their best offensive and defensive players. Danny also traded AB for him - so it's not like he was brought here to ride the bench.

As for Markeiff, well, he has been a starter on one of the most successful teams in the East for the last couple of years.

You should expect Morris to receive major minutes this season...and that's a good thing.