Aron Baynes
Aron Baynes isn’t as an enticing target as Steven Adams or the next player on our list but he is someone who could be had for a lot lower price. What is that price? I’m not quite sure.
Baynes is just making a little over $5 million this year but is an expiring contract. He’s been relegated to the Suns’ bench after Deandre Ayton finally returned from suspension. While his minutes have gone down, he still could give the Clippers some much-needed depth behind Zubac and Harrell.
Baynes provides something that neither of those does though: floor spacing. While it’s not amazing, he is still hitting on 33% of his 3.8 attempts from three-point range this season. His ability to space the floor would fit nicely next to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard while still providing a lot of size on the defensive end.
In fact, scoring-wise, he’s in the midst of a career year. In his 33 appearances, Baynes has scored an average of 11.5 points per game. He also is a solid rebounder, pulling down 5.8 per game.
Getting Baynes, in theory, could be a relatively easy move. McGruder for Baynes straight up works or the Clippers could offer a combination of Robinson, Walton Jr., and second-round picks. The Suns might be inclined to take the second offer as the two players fit their timeline and the picks give them more assets that they can then use or then flip.
Going for someone like Baynes just adds to the center depth without having to move either Zubac or Harrell. This might be the smarter move as it doesn’t harm the existing rotation too much but does help the team in an area of need.