Mavericks steal Naji Marshall from Pelicans amid Klay Thompson pursuit

06/30/2024 10:16 PM

The Dallas Mavericks, fresh off an admirable run to the 2024 NBA Finals, are looking to gear up once more as they look to mount another deep playoff run for next season. However, amid their rumored pursuit of Klay Thompson, the Hall of Fame sharpshooter who is departing from the Golden State Warriors via free agency, the Mavericks decided to pivot and sign Naji Marshall to a three year, $27 million deal instead.

Marshall has developed into quite a solid rotation player for the New Orleans Pelicans after spending his entire career to this point (spanning four seasons) in the Big Easy. Last season, the 26-year old small forward averaged 7.1 points. 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on career-best shooting splits of 46/39/79, and he tallied those numbers despite playing just 19.1 minutes per contest.

With the Mavs, Naji Marshall figures to play a larger role as someone who could, perhaps, become an even more efficient complementary player alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. But Marshall makes his living on the defensive end of the floor, which makes him a hand and glove fit for a Mavericks team that has built its championship-level identity on toughness, grit, and hustle.

The post Mavericks steal Naji Marshall from Pelicans amid Klay Thompson pursuit appeared first on ClutchPoints.