Dallas Mavericks mysteriously sign 3-and-D Pelicans wing to three-year deal

The start of 2024 NBA free agency has been relatively quiet across the NBA.

Not many moves have happened and it seems like everyone is waiting to see what happens with Paul George.

The Dallas Mavericks have been a team involved in rumors, with the most important one linking them to Klay Thompson, and they finally broke the silence with a move late on Sunday night.

Dallas Mavericks sign Naji Marshall to three-year deal

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Mavs are signing former New Orleans Pelicans wing Naji Marshall to a three-year, $27 million deal. Marshall was linked to the Mavs as their backup option if they weren't able to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr., and with this move, it seems like that's going to happen.

This move is intriguing and mysterious, especially since re-signing Jones Jr. was originally the Mavs' biggest priority this summer, and there are some big question marks about how the Mavs will pivot.

Some doubt started to creep in regarding Jones Jr.'s future in Dallas earlier today regarding Jones Jr. switching agents right before free agency, and now it seems like the Mavs will be moving forward without Jones Jr.

Last season for New Orleans, Marshall averaged 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from downtown. Marshall was elite off the bench in New Orleans, and now he has the opportunity to bring that same energy to a stacked Mavs roster.

He brings great energy, good shooting, and great defense to Dallas, but it's a different impact from what Jones Jr. brought. While Jones Jr. is better at the point of attack than Marshall, Marshall can guard up better than Jones Jr. and will bring a different type of versatility.

While Jones Jr. excels at guarding guards and some wings, Marshall has the size to guard bigger wings and also move his feet on the perimeter with some guards. Standing at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he will give the Mavs a bigger wing that brings versatility and toughness.

Marshall is a better shooter than Jones Jr. is, and although this move stings, it could end up working out massively for Dallas.

For all the latest on Naji Marshall and the Dallas Mavericks all offseason long, stay tuned.