LAS VEGAS - The Boston Celtics' fanbase have been patiently waiting for General Manager Danny Ainge to put together a championship caliber team since they traded away Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in the 2013 off-season.
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Their patients was finally rewarded this past season as the C's finished first in the Eastern Conference, and made it all the way to the Conference Finals before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 5 games.
A busy off-season saw the East best team add a talented rookie in Jason Tatum with the pick they received from the Pierce, Garnett trade and sign All-Star Gordon Hayward.
One of the more underrated and somewhat surprising signings of the offseason so far was the Celtics' acquisition of Aron Baynes.
Baynes signed a one-year 4.3 million dollar deal on Monday (AEDT), and according to former Celtic and current assistant coach Walter McCarty he's exactly what the team needed.
"First, (Baynes) adds toughness to our team," McCarty told NBA Australia. "He's a guy who plays with a lot of energy. He plays tough, very gritty."
The Celtics were one of the worst rebounding teams last year. Al Horford led the team pulling down 6.8 boards a game in 32.3 minutes a night.
Baynes was limited to 15.5 minutes a night playing behind Andre Drummond and still managed to average 4.4 rebounds. And while his block and steal numbers seem may low, the Pistons were a defensive rating of 105.3, but went to 98.5 with Baynes on the floor.
"We need rebounding at the four and five, I think that (Baynes) really brings that," McCarty said.
"That's what we need, that's what we struggle with.
"So hopefully he comes in and continues to do what he's done his whole career. That's rebound the basketball, make tough plays, give us some offensive possessions when we need them."
With the departure of bigs Amir Johnson and Kelly Olynyk the door opens for the potential of Baynes to start. The team isn't committing to a set in stone starting lineup as of now, but McCarty does see potential for the Aussie to get some starting nods.
"The NBA season is a long season. I'm sure we're going to need him to start sometimes, you just never know.
"Hopefully, whatever role we need him to play, he excels in."
