The Detroit Pistons seem to be close to adding another piece to their roster.
Center Boban Marjanovic is signing a three-year, $21 million offer sheet with the Pistons, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. And the San Antonio Spurs, who have the right to match the offer within the next three days, are "resigned" to losing the restricted free agent, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
In fact, the Spurs have reached an agreement with former Orlando Magic center Dewayne Dedmon to replace Marjanovic.
Marjanovic is 27 years old and is listed at 7-feet-3 and 290 pounds. The Serbian has only played one NBA season, averaging 5.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 54 games (four starts) for the Spurs this past season. He is a three-time MVP of the Serbian Super League.
Marjanovic offers the Pistons insurance for the future. Backup center Aron Baynes is under contract for two more seasons, but with NBA salaries skyrocketing, it's likely he that he will opt out of his deal and become a free agent before the 2017-18 season. And since Baynes would only have two years of service with the Pistons, they would only have his Early Larry Bird Rights, which would limit what the Pistons could offer him.
To make room under the salary cap for Marjanovic, the Pistons would have to waive centers Joel Anthony and Cameron Bairstow. They also have to renounce the rights to point guard Steve Blake, the source said. Blake was informed this morning, but he remains under consideration by the Pistons as a third point guard for a veteran's minimum salary.
Marjanovic would be the third free agent signed by the Pistons this year, joining point guard Ish Smith and power forward Jon Leuer.
