According to Marc Stein, the newly signed deal in Turkey for former Rockets center Boban Marjanovic includes an NBA opt-out clause for later this year.
Earlier this week, Turkey’s Fenerbahçe Beko reached an agreement to sign former Houston Rockets center Boban Marjanović, as first reported by Eurohoops. After nine NBA seasons, the Serbian giant is returning to European basketball and Euroleague play.
However, it’s not necessarily a done deal that Marjanovic is finished with the NBA. Per veteran league insider Marc Stein (and relayed by Bleacher Report), the contract includes an opt-out clause that would allow Marjanović to leave and sign with an NBA team in December, should an opportunity present itself.
Over his nine NBA seasons, the 7-foot-4 big man averaged 5.5 points (57.8% FG) and 3.6 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per game. Now 36 years old, Marjanovic continues to have soft touch near the basket and can be a force offensively, though his massive size often made him a defensive liability in modern NBA coverage schemes.
Marjanovic was primarily Houston’s third- or fourth-string center over his two years (2022-23 and 2023-24) with the Rockets, and he was extremely admired and respected for his leadership in the locker room.
But with veteran big man Steven Adams returning from injury and pushing Jock Landale to third on the depth chart, it no longer makes sense for the Rockets to roster yet another center-only player. However, should circumstances change, it appears there’s a route to Marjanovic again becoming an option.
Marjanovic finished with 13 points (75% FG) and 8 rebounds in Houston’s season-closing victory at Los Angeles last April, and he was a fan favorite among fans of the Clippers due to his intentional miss of two free throws (which triggered a free-chicken promotion) after the game had largely been decided.
Based on his age, there’s at least a possibility that the Los Angeles game could be his final career NBA outing. However, the opt-out clause means that it is far from a certainty.
More: Former Rockets center Boban Marjanovic hopes to continue NBA career
