It looks as if Aron Baynes' storied basketball career could be coming to a close, with the Brisbane Bullets announcing he would not be returning to the team for the 2024/25 NBL season.
Baynes signed with the Bullets in 2022, but he will depart after two seasons with the team, with his future in the sport very much up in the air.
The Aussie spent nine years in the NBA across five different organisations and was a stalwart of the Australian national team for over a decade.
Is Aron Baynes retiring?
While nothing has been confirmed, Baynes' choice to leave the Bullets could indicate he is ready to move on from basketball, with the big man turning 38 in December.
Brisbane coach Justin Schueller told media Wednesday that while Baynes would not be returning to the team, he would still remain involved in the organisation, which would suggest that he is not headed to another NBL team.
"We’ve locked our roster away and I think Baynsey’s enjoying retirement or a bit of extra spare time," Schueller said.
"We look forward to ‘Big Banga’ being around games once we get back to Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
"Aron’s still always going to be a Bullet. He’s still always going to have some involvement with the club."
Other options for Aron Baynes
While Scheuller's comments indicate that Baynes will be staying with Brisbane in a non-playing role, there is always the slim chance that another NBL team could come calling for his services.
A number of teams have already completed their rosters for the upcoming season, but there is a chance a team like the Illawarra Hawks, Perth Wildcats, or Cairns Taipans may be interested in the veteran if he has decided he simply doesn't want to play for Brisbane.
When Baynes initially signed with Brisbane in 2022, he stated that his eventual goal was to return to the NBA, following the NBL route used by other veterans like Andrew Bogut and Matthew Dellavedova.
But after two years and no significant opportunities, it seems that that door has closed for Baynes, and it could be a factor in his decision to retire if he is done with the sport.
Aron Baynes NBL stats
Baynes played two seasons in the NBL for the Brisbane Bullets, serving as both a starting-calibre big man and veteran presence for young players, namely Rocco Zikarsky.
He averaged nearly 12 points and eight rebounds during his first season, but he saw his numbers dip during the previous Bullets campaign.
- 9.6 PPG
- 6 RPG
- 0.8 APG
- 0.4 BPG
- 0.2 SPG
- 46%FG
- 72%FT
- 32%3PT
Aron Baynes NBA stats
Across nine seasons, Baynes was a consistent force in the NBA, as well as somewhat of a cult hero.
He played for five franchises and won an NBA Championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014.
- 6 PPG
- 4.6 RPG
- 0.8 APG
- 0.5 BPG
- 0.2 SPG
- 48.9%FG
- 79.4% FT
- 30.8%3PT
Aron Baynes career earnings
Through his career in the NBA, Aron Baynes earned a total of US$38,075,340, per HoopsHype.
In the NBL, he was reportedly earning between AU$750,000 - $850,000 per season, however, NBL salaries are not fully disclosed to the public.