Mavs’ Boban Marjanovic, Brandon Knight Enter Protocols

The Dallas Mavericks added Boban Marjanovic and Brandon Knight to the team’s list of players in health and safety protocols. The Athletic / Stadium’s Shams Charania relayed the announcement.

Mavericks center Boban Marjanovic and replacement guard Brandon Knight have entered health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Dallas is planning to sign Isaiah Thomas to a hardship deal.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 29, 2021

Averaging 5.3 minutes a contest, Boban — a fan-favorite in Dallas — is not the stalwart in the paint utilized by the team in the past two seasons but still adds solid veteran presence off the bench.

Knight was signed to the Mavericks on Dec. 23 for a 10-day contract due to the team’s COVID sit-outs. In three appearances, Knight averaged 10 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 18.3 minutes of action.

The two players will be eligible to return if they submit two negative PCR test results within a 24-hour window.

Due to the updated protocols issued by the NBA, any player that tests positive and proves they are asymptomatic are eligible to return after a five-day isolation period.

On Wednesday, the Mavericks also announced their signing of veteran guard Isaiah Thomas, who was recently cut by the Los Angeles Lakers — as reported by Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico.

Mavericks To Sign Isaiah Thomas To 10-Day Contract – Hoops Wire https://t.co/OSuhnD9gyJ

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) December 29, 2021

In three games, Thomas “averaged 9.3 points, but shot just 31 percent from the field and 23 percent on 3-pointers.” The hardship exemption deal will help fill in the crucial minutes left by Knight for the Dallas backcourt.

With an upcoming three-game slate between the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Mavs hope to break through .500 to start the new year, even if they’re short on help.

Boban and Knight’s additions bump the list of players in protocol to seven for the Mavs — including Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway, Jr., Trey Burke, JaQuori McLaughlin and Maxi Kleber. Guard Reggie Bullock exited the protocols on Tuesday.