Pistons Add Size With First Free Agent Move

Just as quickly as Greg Monroe leaves Detroit for a big payday in Milwaukee, the Pistons fill up the front court depth left behind signing Aron Baynes from the San Antonio Spurs.

Baynes, 28, is a New Zealand native that saw limited minutes buried on a depth chart that boasted Tim Duncan, Thaigo Splitter and Boris Diaw at the four and five positions.

He'll come into a much thinner front court currently sporting Andre Drummond, Ersan Ilyasova and first round draft pick Stanley Johnson as projected starters.

Vince Ellis and James Jahnke of the Detroit Free Press report it's a two-year deal with a player option for a third.

Marc Stein of ESPN reports the contract could be worth up to $20 million over the term of the deal.

While not the high profile big body like Koufos or Perkins previously suggested on this site, the Pistons definitely addressed a big need in this offseason.

Greg Monroe's departure was well documented and the timing of these two announcements makes it hard to not see the writing on the wall of a direct replacement.

It is still possible the Pistons sign another frontcourt body, but Baynes' addition gives five serviceable front court members in Drummond, Baynes, Ilyasova, Johnson, and Tolliver.

Contracts become official on July 9 when the NBA's moratorium on free agent contracts expires.