Mavericks' newly-signed defensive ace named 'most underrated' forward in NBA

When the Dallas Mavericks fell in the 2024 to the Boston Celtics, the team focused their attention to the 2024 NBA Draft and free agency. The Mavs traded up to select Melvin Anjinca with the 51st overall pick. Then, free agency arrived.

When free agency started, the Mavs quickly signed ex-Pelican forward Naji Marshall on a three-year deal. Most expected fan-favorite wing Derrick Jones Jr. to not return to the Mavs once Marshall was signed, and it turned out to be true as Jones Jr. signed with the Clippers.

However, Marshall's game in the Big Easy hasn't gone without recognition. At 26 years old, Marshall earned respect from a recent article from Bleacher Report.

Naji Marshall named 'most underrated' forward in NBA

Bleacher Report's Dan Favale wrote an article on July 20 titled "Ranking the Most Underrated NBA Players Right Now." Favale ranked Marshall as the third most underrated player in the entire NBA, and the only two players in front of him were guards (Aaron Wiggins and Ayo Dosunmu).

This makes Marshall the most underrated forward in the league according to Favale's ranking.

That is high praise for a player who spent the majority of his career coming off the bench but was an impactful piece on the Pelicans roster. In Marshall's four seasons with the Pelicans, New Orleans made the NBA Playoffs twice and fell in the NBA Play-In Tournament once. But, getting high praise for being underrated on a roster that features Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram is a huge deal.

Marshall was one of the Pelicans' best defenders. This past season, Marshall's shooting percentages from the field and from three increased from the 2022-23 season as he shot a career-best 39 percent from three.

Along with Dallas completing a sign-and-trade for Klay Thompson, the Mavs were able to add another excellent 3-point shooter with Marshall. Thompson, Marshall, Kyrie Irving, and Luka Doncic are four scary 3-point shooters who can all be on the court at the same time.

The Mavs needed to improve their defense and 3-point shooting from the NBA Finals, and Marshall helps bring that improvement. With a team already stacked with depth, Marshall can be poised to be the sixth man off the bench. In Dallas, Marshall has the perfect chance to thrive in a sixth man role.

Mavs fans should be excited about Marshall being in Dallas, and Marshall is ready to begin his new tenure. Marshall will be extra motivated with already being underrated but will look to take his game to a whole new level.

Mavs fans will quickly realize why fans in New Orleans loved him, as he gives his all on the defensive end and is an elite role player.

For all the latest on Marshall and the Mavs, stay plugged in.