AP source: Mavs reach agreement with 7-3 center Marjanovic
DALLAS (AP) — A person with knowledge of the deal says the Dallas Mavericks and Boban Marjanovic have agreed on a contract that will likely make him their backup center.
The addition of Marjanovic gives the Mavericks two 7-foot-3 European players. The Serbian joins Kristaps Porzingis, the Latvian forward who has agreed to a $158 million, five-year max contract. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because contracts can’t be signed until Saturday.
Dallas will be the fifth team in five seasons for Marjanovic, who started his NBA career with the rival San Antonio Spurs in 2015-16. The 30-year-old went to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with Philadelphia last season. He has career averages of 6.2 points and 3.9 rebounds.
The probable starter at center is Dwight Powell, who opted in for the final year of his contract and then agreed to a three-year extension.
The addition of Marjanovic comes after the Mavericks agreed to deals with three of their own players, two of them restricted free agents in Germany’s Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finney-Smith.
Point guard J.J. Barea, the only player remaining from Dallas’ 2011 championship team now that Dirk Nowitzki has retired, is returning while still recovering after tearing an Achilles tendon last season.
