Pistons’ Baynes to represent Australia in Rio Olympics
The Pistons will have a presence at the Rio Olympics — and it’s not Andre Drummond.
Backup center Aron Baynes will represent the Australian national team, which was officially announced Monday, in Brazil next month. Baynes, 29, will be part of a contingent of Aussies who have played in the NBA, including Matthew Dellavedova, Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Cameron Bairstow.
Dellavedova just won an NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers but signed a new contract with the Milwaukee Bucks as a free agent. Bogut, the former Golden State Warrior who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks, was injured during the NBA Finals. He will get an extension to try to get healthy before the Olympics begin.
Baynes is making his second Olympics appearance and helped Australia finish 7th in 2012 in London. Bairstow, whom the Pistons acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls for Spencer Dinwiddie last month, was released last week.
Rod.Beard@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard