Mavericks make their Naji Marshall trade stance clear with contract extension

The Dallas Mavericks signed Naji Marshall to a three-year contract extension this week after his second season with the team, and this move makes Dallas' feelings about the 28-year-old wing extremely clear. They view him as a key piece of their core alongside Cooper Flagg, and at least for now, they don't plan on trading him.

Mavericks don't want to trade Naji Marshall

NBA insider Marc Stein reported that "Dallas has consistently resisted trade interest in Naji Marshall and now reaffirms its desire to keep the versatile swingman in place alongside Cooper Flagg by re-signing him to a multiyear deal." Dallas' phone was ringing at last season's trade deadline about Marshall, as he had the best season of his six-year career and is in the middle of a team-friendly three-year, $27 million deal, but the Mavericks decided to hold onto him.

They likely could've gotten decent value for him, given that he has point forward potential, defends well, and plays hard, but they decided to stand pat. Dallas entered the offseason with him extension-eligible, and they silenced any doubt that they could trade him this offseason by giving him a new contract.

They could've signed him to a new deal with the intention of trading him later on, as they seemingly did with Daniel Gafford last summer, but this is a completely different situation. The Mavericks have not shopped Marshall since signing him in the summer of 2024, but with Gafford, they have entertained trade offers for him over the last few seasons.

Dallas truly values Marshall's skillset, and his new contract further emphasizes this.

Marshall is a key piece for Dallas

He averaged 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting a career-high 51 percent from the field last season, and he was one of the few consistent players on the team. Marshall was ready to play every night, regardless of opponent, and he deserves credit for how he played in a season in which Dallas lost 56 games. His floater became one of Dallas' best weapons, and his slashing is an art that can't go unnoticed.

He is also a solid playmaker, and his guard skills should help give Dallas' backcourt a big boost. Jason Kidd would occasionally play Marshall at point guard last season, and with the Mavericks' lack of guard depth, he should get the chance to do the same thing next season.

Marshall's passing is underrated, and his scoring around the bucket combined with his decision-making on the fast break makes him a dangerous player in transition. This pairs well with Flagg's playstyle, as he loves to get out and run in transition as well, and they enjoy playing with one another.

Flagg is obviously Dallas' franchise cornerstone, and the Mavericks made sure to keep Marshall as a key role player into the future by signing him to a new contract. They removed any doubt about his long-term future with the team by making this move, and any speculation about him getting traded this summer can be put to rest for the time being.

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