The Toronto Raptors have officially waived centre Aron Baynes after just one season, the team announced on Wednesday.
The Australian's $7.35-million deal was set to become a guaranteed contract on Thursday.
Although it is unclear if talks materialized with other teams, there was a chance Baynes' contract could have been used as part of the still developing sign-and-trade that is sending Kyle Lowry to the Miami Heat. Guaranteeing his contract in the hopes such a deal came to be, however, would have represented a significant financial risk to the Raptors.
By choosing to waive Baynes instead before his contract became guaranteed, he will now become a free agent.
Baynes, 34, averaged 6.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 18.5 minutes in 53 games for Toronto after signing as a free agent Nov. 25, 2020.
