Detroit Pistons backup center Aron Baynes has until June 20 to exercise his 2017-18 player option that will pay him $6.5 million. It is assumed by most followers of the team that Baynes will opt to join the free-agent market on July 1, however that decision has not been made yet and nothing will be announced until close to the deadline day next month.

"I would anticipate he would take all that time,” agent Marc Fleisher of Entersport Management told the Detroit Free Press.

Fleisher added: "He's enjoyed himself there. He likes (Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy), he likes the organization, but he’s also got to consider the financial ramifications."

The financial part is the reason Baynes probably will become a free agent, as he and his agent believe some big offers could come their way since the 2017-18 NBA salary cap is projected to jump from $94.14 million in 2016-17 to around $101 million next season. If an offer is too high, the Pistons probably will pass and move to bring in another backup center for less money.

In 75 appearances this season, Baynes averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds.

"Being here, it kind of feels like we have some unfinished business from this, and hopefully we use it as motivation for next year," Baynes said last month.

-- Nick Silva