On the first day of free agency, a move that initially seemed almost certain for the Dallas Mavericks became much less likely. Re-signing Derrick Jones Jr. was their main focus heading into the offseason, but Jones Jr.’s decision to switch agents just before free agency began complicated the situation for the Mavs.
Re-signing Jones Jr. turned out to be more challenging than anticipated, leading the Mavericks to pursue an alternative move that has garnered widespread praise across the NBA.
The Mavericks opted to sign Naji Marshall to a three-year contract, and Brian Martin of NBA.com has described this as one of the “best under-the-radar moves” of the offseason.
Martin highlighted that Marshall is quite similar to Jones Jr. and noted that he posted a career-high three-point shooting percentage of 38.7% last season, in addition to being an excellent defender.
Despite not getting much attention, Marshall is set to be a valuable asset for the Mavericks next season. With the New Orleans Pelicans last year, he averaged 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.7 steals per game, shooting 46.3% from the field.
Marshall, who is a strong, tenacious defender, is an ideal fit for Dallas. At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and weighing 220 pounds, he has the size to guard larger forwards and the agility to keep up with quicker guards.
Marshall is more effective as a defender at the point of attack than many realize, and alongside Quentin Grimes, he is likely to be tasked with guarding the opposing team’s top players due to their defensive skills.
Although the signing of Marshall hasn’t received much media attention as a major move, he has a strong chance to prove critics wrong. His 3-and-D abilities and fearless approach make him a great addition for Mavs fans, and he’s truly one of the most underrated players in the league.
Playing alongside Luka Dončić will provide Marshall with numerous open three-point opportunities, and if all goes well, he might have found a perfect fit in Dallas.
