Raptors officially place centre Aron Baynes on waivers

Toronto Raptors' Aron Baynes (46) grabs a rebound against Cleveland Cavaliers' Dean Wade (32) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Sportsnet Staff August 4, 2021, 2:13 PM

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.

Toronto makes it official on the Aron Baynes waiver.

The Baynes $7.35M contract was set to become guaranteed on Thursday.

$9.3M below the tax with 4 roster spots open

The $7M Chris Boucher contract becomes guaranteed on Sunday.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 4, 2021

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.

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