Los Angeles Lakers Urged to Sign Boban Marjanovic as a Strategic Addition.
In recent discussions around NBA free agency, one name that has surfaced as a potential asset for the Los Angeles Lakers is Boban Marjanovic. NBA analyst Michael Dunlap of Heavy Sports has advocated for the Lakers to consider signing the 7-foot-4 Serbian center, who is currently an unrestricted free agent.
Dunlap argues that while Marjanovic may not play heavy minutes, his presence on the court could be invaluable in specific situations. “Boban can help on the court in very short spurts,” Dunlap noted. “At 36 years old, he’s not going to play a lot, but his situational use as a chess piece for new head coach JJ Redick could be significant.”
One of the key areas where Marjanovic could contribute is offensive rebounding, an area where the Lakers struggled last season. The Lakers ranked as the worst offensive rebounding team in the 2023-24 season, securing just 8.2 per game. While Anthony Davis led the team with 239 offensive rebounds, no other player surpassed 70. Marjanovic, who averages 5.0 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes over his career, could help address this deficiency.
Beyond his on-court contributions, Dunlap highlighted Marjanovic’s value as a positive locker room presence. “Off the court, Boban is a great glue guy, a great locker room influence,” Dunlap said. “He’s one of those affable people that makes everyone around him smile. On a minimum contract, why not take a flier?”
The Lakers, who finished the 2023-24 season with a 47-35 record before losing to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, have made minimal moves this offseason. Their only new additions are rookies Bronny James and Dalton Knecht. With new head coach JJ Redick expressing the team’s intent to add a center, Marjanovic, with his career averages of 5.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.3 blocks per game, could be a fitting piece for the roster.
As the Lakers continue to explore options to bolster their lineup, the addition of Marjanovic could bring both tactical advantages on the court and a boost in team morale off the court. Whether the Lakers will act on this recommendation remains to be seen, but the idea of signing Marjanovic is certainly generating interest.
