Dallas Mavericks Sign Naji Marshall 3-Year $27 Million Deal

Dallas Mavericks sign Naji Marshall to a $27 million deal. Derrick Jones Jr. likely to leave after team's financial constraints.

The Dallas Mavericks have made a significant move in signing former Pelicans forward Naji Marshall to a lucrative three-year, $27 million contract, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

Marshall, who was a key contributor off the bench for the Pelicans last season, averaged 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. However, due to the team's depth at the forward positions, Marshall struggled to find a consistent role behind players like Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy III. The Mavericks are banking on Marshall's shooting ability, as he shot 38.7% from the field last season, to thrive in their system alongside stars like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Despite the addition of Marshall, the Mavericks are still actively pursuing a deal with the Golden State Warriors for sharpshooter Klay Thompson. The team has a $16.9 million trade exception from the Tim Hardaway Jr. trade and additional cap space from their non-tax mid-level exception, giving them flexibility to make more moves in the offseason.

The signing of Marshall raises questions about the future of Derrick Jones Jr., the Mavericks' starting small forward from their 2024 NBA Finals run. Jones Jr., who is now a free agent, signed a minimum contract with the team last year. However, with limited salary cap space available, it seems unlikely that the Mavericks will be able to retain him for the upcoming season.

Jones Jr. recently changed agents, joining Klutch Sports, which could further complicate his free agency process. The Mavericks had previously expressed interest in bringing him back, but with the signing of Marshall, it appears that Jones Jr.'s future with the team is uncertain.

Overall, the Mavericks' offseason moves have generated excitement and intrigue among fans, as they look to build on their success from last season. The addition of Marshall and the pursuit of Thompson signal the team's commitment to contending in the highly competitive Western Conference. As the offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how these moves play out and what further changes the Mavericks have in store.