Boban Marjanović is staying in Houston this season.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the 7-foot-4 center signed a one-year deal with the Rockets. He played 31 games off the bench for Houston in 2022-23.
Boban’s Back: Free agent C Boban Marjanović is returning to the Houston Rockets on a one-year deal, Mike Lindeman and Jeff Schwartz of @excelbasketball tell ESPN. Marjanovic is entering his ninth season, including stops with Spurs, Pistons, Clippers, Sixers, Mavericks. pic.twitter.com/YgfulfZFjX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 10, 2023
Marjanović started his career with the San Antonio Spurs and has since made five other stops in nine seasons. After playing 100 games for the Dallas Mavericks, his longest time in one place, he averaged 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in limited minutes for Houston last season.
The Serbian big man has emerged as a fan favorite on and off the court. He’s appeared in State Farm insurance commercials and movies such as Hustle and John Wick: Chapter 3.
While he provides size as one of the league’s tallest players, it’s increasingly difficult to keep Marjanović on the court with teams emphasizing shooting and tempo. He’s started just 25 of 317 career games.
Having turned 35 last month, Boban is also Houston’s second-oldest player behind point guard D.J. Augustin.
The Rockets went 22-60 in another rebuilding year, their third straight season near the bottom of the standings since moving James Harden. They added No. 4 pick Amen Thompson to a young featuring Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr.