Naji Marshall's contract extension helps the Mavericks' biggest issue

The Dallas Mavericks made another big move on Sunday by signing Naji Marshall to a three-year contract extension for $52.2 million. A move that came with no recent reports preceding it, this extension keeps Marshall on the Mavs roster for the next four seasons at an affordable price. The Mavericks' biggest concern with their current roster is definitely their lack of playmaking, and this move highlights that they already have more help than fans realize.

Naji Marshall has been an underrated playmaker for the Mavs

When the Mavericks signed Naji Marshall a couple of summers ago, it seemed like they were getting a tough and pesky defender who could occasionally score and hit threes. However, in reality, Mavs fans have come to realize that Marshall is an underrated ball handler and playmaker. Even though he is yet another forward the Mavericks are keeping on the roster, Marshall is capable of starting the offense, a skill that's desperately needed on this team given their lack of point guards.

While Marshall has been a Swiss army knife with an unstoppable floater during his time in Dallas, a pleasant surprise has been his ability to play point forward at times. His ability to be a primary ball handler and run the offense during times when the point guards need rest has been an extremely underrated skill. The only time Marshall has had anywhere between eight and 10 assists in a game has been with the Mavericks these past two seasons.

Not only does Naji Marshall create for others, but he also has games where he takes it upon himself to shoulder the scoring load and command the offense. Last season, especially when Cooper Flagg was sitting out, Marshall led the Mavs in scoring and even had six games where he scored 30 or more points.

Marshall's 3-point shot has been underwhelming during his time in Dallas, but he has more than made up for that by being able to get in the paint and efficiently score. He averaged 15.2 points per game last season on over 50 percent shooting and was consistently one of the best finishers in the paint in the entire NBA. In terms of both scoring and making plays for his teammates, Naji Marshall has shown that he deserves to have a consistent role on this team going forward.

Marshall's contract is a favorable one for the Mavericks

Outside of his actual on-court production, the three-year $52.2 million extension the Mavericks gave to Naji Marshall is a contract that should work in favor of the organization as they rebuild this roster around Cooper Flagg.

According to insider Marc Stein, Marshall's contract is a declining contract, meaning that each year, his salary actually decreases throughout the three years. This type of contract is beneficial since it allows the franchise to gain a small amount of cap space each season of a player's contract.

Not only is this new contract declining, but the extension the Mavs gave Marshall keeps him trade-eligible, based on the structure of the contract. Maintaining flexibility has been a huge priority for the Mavericks' new front office, and this move still gives them ways to improve the roster for years to come.

The Mavericks have had an eventful offseason, and the Naji Marshall extension adds to a cluster of moves that should help the team for many years. The Cooper Flagg era is now underway, and it's clear that the Mavericks see Marshall as a part of it as he gives them the playmaking they need.

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