5 free agent signings NBA teams are already regretting
By Connor Learn
1. Boban Marjanovic—Detroit Pistons
Contract: Three years, 21 million
7’3, 290- pound, 27-year-old Boban Marjanovic took NBA Vine by storm when he arrived in San Antonio. The massive Serbian showed a diverse skill set and excelled at finishing on the pick and roll and drawing fouls. Over the offseason, the Detroit Pistons surprised many when they signed Boban Marjanovic away from the Spurs.
Marjanovic had prepared to accept the Spurs near minimum offer, but then the Pistons came calling. They were offering a guaranteed 21 million. According to San Antonio Express-News’ Jeff McDonald, the Serbian didn’t know if he should take Detroit’s money. When he approached coach Gregg Popovich about the Pistons offer, the Spurs coached laughed and said “Get your (butt) out of here. Go. You’ve got to do that.”
Why this contract is already regrettable
Marjanovic hasn’t shown that he was worth being added by the Pistons so far. He’s only played in five of their eleven games, 30 minutes total. Detroit has paid Marjanovic roughly $853,659 to score 15 points for them. Franchise centerpiece Andre Drummond takes up most minutes as many minutes as possible at center for the Pistons.
Fellow Spurs cast-off Aron Baynes takes up the residual minutes. When Drummond missed Monday’s game against the Thunder, Marjanovic only played 12 minutes. The Pistons got their look at Boban Marjanovic, and that look hasn’t inspired them to actually play him. Marjanovic probably hasn’t lost the skills that made him look like a viable backup big. But the Pistons don’t have any rim protection among their forwards and the Serbian can’t cover much ground himself. Barring multiple injuries, he probably won’t play meaningful minutes for the Pistons.
The franchise is paying between 35 and 37 million for their three centers the next couple of years. It’s wholly possible that Boban Marjanovic’s contract prevents the Pistons from acquiring talent down the line. He was a gamble for Stan Van Gundy, but he doesn’t appear to be a gamble that will pay off.
Next: NBA: 2000s All-Decade First Team
Too early to call: Jeff Green (Magic: one year, 15 million), Al Jefferson (Pacers: three years, 30 million), Mahinmi (Wizards: four years, 64 million), Chandler Parsons (Grizzlies: four years, 94 million)