Mavericks' Naji Marshall extension proves one thing about Cooper Flagg

Amid a period of radio silence around the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks unexpectedly awarded forward Naji Marshall a shiny new three-year, $52 million contract extension, locking down the 28-year-old through 2030. Despite a glut of forwards, which gave the extension some cause for concern, it was another forward's admiration for Marshall that ultimately helped make the deal happen.

This deal proves that their teenage star already has influence within the organization.

According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, "Cooper Flagg's known fondness for Marshall after their first season together as teammates is believed to be among the factors that Dallas considered when awarding Marshall this new three-year deal."

Of course, Marshall earned the extension in his own right, averaging career highs across the board in 2025-26, including 15.2 points and 3.3 assists per game. But Flagg's fondness for "The Knife" was certainly an important factor in getting the deal done.

Cooper Flagg's influence is already shaping Dallas' roster

The 19-year-old Flagg is Dallas' building block of the future and, outside of 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama, perhaps the NBA's most appealing young talent. With that in mind, it's no surprise the Mavericks factored Flagg's opinion into Marshall's extension, as the 6-foot-6 forward is clearly one of the teammates he admires.

While the two didn't exactly flourish together on the court a season ago (a -8.6 net rating), it's not like many of Dallas' two-man lineups posted positive net ratings anyway. The Mavericks are a team in transition, and the focus is on building chemistry going forward, especially with players who fit alongside Flagg.

Yet, while Dallas' glut of forwards made this extension (along with several other moves earlier in the offseason) questionable, there's an underrated part of Marshall's game that helps alleviate those potential fit concerns.

Mavericks' forward logjam doesn't tell the full story

Marshall is a playmaker. He doesn't resemble a typical creator in today's NBA as a 6-foot-6 wing who doesn't threaten defenses from beyond the arc, but he's a terrific slasher and a savvy passer. While he may not fit the traditional mold, Marshall can provide something Dallas desperately needs: another player capable of creating offense.

Thus, anything that takes the immense pressure off Flagg is a continued step in the right direction and another sign that Dallas is building around its franchise player. Flagg led all rookies in usage rate a season ago and was only one of three qualified Mavericks with a usage rate above 20.0 percent, joining P.J. Washington and, of course, Marshall.

Even though the Marshall extension felt a bit premature, considering the Mavericks' roster boasts 16 players and is flush with wings and forwards, it shows Dallas is prioritizing one thing above all else: building around Flagg. Coming off a 26-win season, the Mavericks must keep their long-term future in mind, and chemistry around their budding star trumps just about anything else.

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