si
The Dallas Mavericks officially announced on Sunday that they have signed forward Naji Marshall to a three-year contract extension worth $52.2 million, with the entire amount guaranteed through the 2029-30 season. Marshall, who was entering the final year of his previous deal at just over $9 million, will now remain with the franchise under the new terms, a decision made by team president Masai Ujiri.
According to NBA cap expert Yossi Gozlan, the contract structure is unique in that it keeps Marshall eligible for trades despite the extension. The salary is set on a declining scale, starting at $18.195 million in the first year and decreasing to $16.7 million in the final season. This setup provides the Mavericks with financial flexibility while rewarding Marshall, who is coming off a career-best scoring average of 15.2 points per game, highlighted by his mastery of the floater.
Marshall's defensive reputation was solid during his time in New Orleans and early in his Dallas stint alongside Luka Doncic, though his performance on that end has dipped somewhat. His three-point shooting has been a notable weakness, as he has connected at below 30% in each of his two seasons with the Mavericks. Nevertheless, the ability to create his own shot consistently while playing competent defense remains a valuable asset in the modern NBA.
Key Analysis
The extension comes amid a logjam in Dallas's frontcourt, which now includes recent acquisitions Santi Aldama and Zaccharie Risacher, rookie Morez Johnson Jr., and holdovers Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, Moussa Cisse, Cooper Flagg, Caleb Martin, and P.J. Washington. Washington, who is entering the first year of a four-year, $88 million deal, could potentially be the odd man out given the surplus of bodies, though no moves have been made yet.
This decision marks one of the few questionable calls under the Ujiri and Mike Schmitz regime, given that NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Mavericks had received trade interest in Marshall. While the front office may have explored that avenue, the extension suggests they value Marshall's contributions, even if his shooting struggles could hinder the development of stars like Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg. The deal, valued near the non-taxpayer midlevel exception, is generally considered reasonable, though it may complicate future trades. Ultimately, the Mavericks are betting on Marshall's potential to regain his defensive prowess and improve his shooting, but the roster's imbalance remains a concern.