SEPTEMBER 20: Marjanovic has officially re-signed with the Rockets, per NBA.com’s transaction log. Marjanovic’s deal reportedly features a partial guarantee.
SEPTEMBER 10: Free agent big man Boban Marjanovic is returning to the Rockets on a one-year deal, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.
A longtime fan favorite, Marjanovic is entering his ninth NBA season. He started his NBA career in San Antonio and has also played for Detroit, the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia and Dallas.
The 7’4” center appeared in 31 games off the bench last season for Houston, averaging 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 5.5 minutes per game.
In 317 career regular-season appearances, Marjanovic has averaged 5.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 8.9 minutes.
He actually had two stint with the Rockets last season. He was acquired last summer in a trade with Dallas.
The big man was waived during a roster crunch after the February trade deadline, then was re-signed after clearing waivers.
As our roster count shows, the Rockets had 17 players under contract — outside of their two-way players — but only 12 possessed guaranteed deals. The addition of Marjanovic gives them a full training camp roster.
It’s safe to assume Marjanovic got the veteran’s minimum, and it’s unclear whether or not his deal will be fully guaranteed. He projects as the third center on the depth chart behind starter Alperen Sengun and Jock Landale.
Goldfish for everyone!
Does he just not have the ability to play more than 5-8 mpg? Every year he puts up insane advanced stats but plays 5 mpg on half the teams games. I’ve never understood him.
I imagine it must be that. Looking at his per 36 numbers, if he was able to play 15-20 minutes a game effectively, who wouldn’t play him that much?
Just based on the eye test from this total amateur: He’s a pure offensive specialist. Too slow to pick up switches at all, and just not suited to be a modern NBA defender — but really hard to stop on offense.
And because he inhabits those extremes, the entire game warps around him. Whatever offense his team normally runs is out the window in favor of just giving him the damn ball in the post. Likewise, his opponent drops whatever they were doing to hunt Boban on switches and isolate him on the perimeter.
Because he’s always the center of attention on both ends, his gargantuan body must expend full energy every moment he’s on the court, limiting him to a handful of possessions in a stint.
Thank you Bargz and dinojones for the explanation. I’ve wondered about his usage forever.
He would’ve actually been perfect for the Mavs inevitable yearly need of constructing one fully-abled big man out of 3-4 players
Remember the owner is clueless
Thought he was done there for a minute. Thank goodness, the league is better with Boban in it.
Houston’s first good signing this off-season. Every team needs a Boban on the bench and in the locker room.
Besides, $14M is a lot of money, who’s going to know…?
Helps for sure. He’s a good guy. And he can help. Good move
Staying in the league and in the public eye will earn him way more $ through endorsements and commercials than his current NBA salary.