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Eight predictions for the Detroit Pistons’ season in 2016-17

By Duncan Smith

Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA;Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the first half of Tuesday nights game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA;Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the first half of Tuesday nights game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich speaks to San Antonio Spurs center Boban Marjanovic (40) during action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich speaks to San Antonio Spurs center Boban Marjanovic (40) during action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Boban Marjanovic will take over the backup center spot this season.

In a surprise move on July 12th, the Pistons signed Boban Marjanovic to a three-year $21 million offer sheet, and the San Antonio Spurs quickly made clear their intention to begrudgingly not match. At a glance, the move was unexpected, but in true Stan Van Gundy tradition, this was a move not only for this year but for the future as well.

Incumbent backup center Aron Baynes has a player option next summer, and barring some kind of catastrophic season he is certain to opt out and get his big payday. The Pistons won’t match any offer sent his way, so the singing of Marjanovic essentially fills the hole that is sure to exist in a year’s time at what is sure to be a significant discount.

His signing was with a long-game view in mind, but his addition to the team will become relevant sooner than expected. Boban is already better than Aron Baynes.

Boban has size that makes mere mortals tremble. He stands 7’3″, 290 lbs. His stature is so imposing that his lack of lateral movement is diminished significantly.

He’s also a per-36 superstar. Last season he put up preposterous numbers for a reserve big man, averaging 21 points and 13.7 rebounds per 36 minutes to go with a 60.3 percent field goal percentage and a 76.3 percent free throw percentage.

Aron Baynes will be supplanted by the mighty Boban in the early stages of the regular season.

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