Heartbreaking Mavericks trade may now be unavoidable

Trade rumors have been circling the Dallas Mavericks ever since Nico Harrison was fired, and Naji Marshall's name has entered the mix. Marshall was expected to enter some trade rumors following Anthony Davis' hand injury, and NBA insider Marc Stein has the update on his trade market (subscription required) that Mavs fans won't be thrilled with.

"League sources say that, in addition to Daniel Gafford and interest in the center from various Eastern Conference teams, versatile swingman Naji Marshall has been generating trade inquiries from rival teams," Stein reported.

Gafford has long been viewed as the most tradeable player on the Mavericks, but Marshall is beginning to draw interest from teams across the league as well. No one expected Dallas to move on from Marshall this season, especially given how well he has played over the last season and a half, but the Mavericks are in a tough spot.

Why the Mavericks may be forced to trade Naji Marshall

It doesn't look like they'll be pushing for a playoff spot, and their focus is on building around Cooper Flagg. Marshall can definitely still be part of the team's future, as he is only 27 years old, but the brewing trade rumors could force Dallas to move on and capatlize on his high value.

This is the last thing that Mavs fans should want, and this is definitely a storyline to keep an eye on as the trade deadline approaches. Any contender would love to have him, as he puts winning first and accepts whatever role is assigned to him. Mavericks fans have quickly learned this, and letting Derrick Jones Jr. walk to bring him in has become an approved decision.

Marshall has been spectacular since signing with Dallas in the summer of 2024, averaging over 13 points and nearly five rebounds per game, and it would be an absolute gut punch to lose him in a trade. He has been one of the only sources of consistency and stability since the Luka Doncic trade, and fans have fallen in love with his game.

His unstoppable floater, enforcer mentality, and two-way ability have made him one of the most underrated role players in the entire Western Conference, and this is likely why rival teams are lining up to trade for him. Marshall can plug and play at multiple positions, and as Stein noted, the Mavs may be forced to trade him to improve their luxury tax bill.

Dallas is in danger of ending up in the second apron next season if they don't make some moves now, and while they would like to keep Marshall, offers for him "that provide financial relief between now and the deadline presumably have to be considered."

The uncertainty surrounding Anthony Davis and his future could end up thrusting Marshall right into the trade fire, and if Dallas doesn't trade Davis, they're going to need to shed salary somewhere else. This is where Marshall's final two years on his three-year, $27 million deal come into play.

He and Gafford seem to be two of the only positive trade chips that the Mavericks have, and with Gafford's regression this season, Marshall is at the top of the list.

Dallas could explore trading him for an expiring contract and draft capital, as both of those things would help expedite the rebuild around Flagg. The Mavericks desperately need to get under the second apron ahead of next season, and unfortunately for Dallas, trading Marshall may be one of the only ways to do that if they hold onto Davis.