Report: Celtics expected to re-sign veteran center Baynes

The Boston Celtics are set to maintain their current level of toughness under the basket, as the team is expected to re-sign free-agent center Aron Baynes, league sources told NBC Sports Boston's A. Sherrod Blakely.

The Celtics found a steal in Baynes last summer, as the hulking Australian inked a one-year deal for just $4.3 million. He quickly grew into an important member of the frontcourt rotation, playing in 81 regular-season games that included 67 starts.

Though Baynes only logged 18.3 minutes per contest, he still averaged six points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while setting the tone in the paint with highly physical play. In 1,484 minutes with Baynes on the floor in the regular season, Boston outscored its opponents by 6.9 points per 100 possessions.

In the playoffs, Baynes introduced a new wrinkle to his game that was rarely seen during his previous five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons - he began taking, and making, 3-pointers. The center came to Boston having attempted just seven 3-pointers in his career, but hit 11-of-23 attempts from long range in the postseason.