Boban Marjanovic
Perhaps the funnest bit of this deal for the Sixers, aside from now having what appears to be the best starting lineup in the Eastern Conference, is going to be the team’s scorning of opposing players in the paint with two giants down low — Joel Embiid, and then Boban Marjanovic in relief.
Though the team hinted at the possibility of acquiring Marjanovic while he was with the San Antonio Spurs in his first NBA season a few years ago, an agreement was never able to happen — until now.
The 30-year-old Serbian center isn’t what you’d call the most keen scoring option, currently averaging 6.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Where he brings tremendous value, though, is his inordinate defensive length and finishing ability around the basket.
Believe it or not, he’s one of the most efficient scorers in NBA history, according to ESPN’s Devin Gordon.
It’s no mystery how the team plans to use him going forward: pestering rim protection and matchup nightmares against smaller bigs. A Twin Towers lineup with Embiid (7’0″) and Marjanovic (7’3″) would also be worth every penny.
Grade: B