Mavericks' new addition ready to bring 'dirty-work' defense to Dallas

Going into the offseason, re-signing Derrick Jones Jr. and keeping him in Dallas was the Mavericks' top priority.

He had been the best perimeter defender on the team the season before and provided superb play on both ends of the floor during the playoffs.

Dallas' priority then shifted to pursuing Klay Thompson, and the Mavs' decided to go a different direction with Jones Jr.

The Mavs ended up signing Naji Marshall to a three-year, $27 million deal, and he is poised to be the perfect replacement for Jones Jr.

Naji Marshall is running with role of being a 'dirty-work provider'

Last season for the New Orleans Pelicans, Marshall averaged 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from downtown. Marshall is an excellent defender, and he is poised to become that on the Mavs.

"One area that doesn’t need a lot of work is on the defensive end of the floor, where Marshall was a dirty-work provider throughout his four seasons at New Orleans before joining the Mavericks," Edie Sefko of Mavs.com wrote.

"They gave me that kind of role and I just ran with it," Marshall said. "I know my game. And the people we have on this team, they’re going to make me better. And I know I can make them better. So I’m just excited to get this going."

Marshall is pumped up to get working for the Mavs, and him running with the role of being a "dirty-work provider" for Dallas is exactly what they needed. He's never afraid of standing up for his teammates, and he'll fill in great for Jones Jr.

Dirty-work wings fit great in Dallas, and Luka Doncic always seems to elevate their game. Doncic creates countless open looks, and these types of players have a great role in Dallas due to them just having to hit open shots while playing good defense on the other end.

Marshall will be able to guard the best players in the league, and his defense at the point of attack is extremely underrated. He moves his well for his size, and he takes pride in his play on this end. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 220 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he has the perfect frame to be an elite defender.

Marshall is even someone who could break into the starting lineup at some point next season, and his 3-and-D skillset and energy are something the Mavs need. He'll be able to guard the other team's best player while knocking down open threes on the other end, and Dallas is poised to be an elite contender in the Western Conference once again.