Naji Marshall has a similar career path to Derrick Jones Jr. — both were undrafted players who spent time in the G League before finding their way to the NBA. Jones Jr. was the versatile defender for the Dallas Mavericks last season, but now the torch has been passed to Marshall.
The Mavericks officially signed Marshall on Saturday after the former New Orleans Pelicans forward reportedly agreed to a three-year, $27 million free agent contract that will be part of Dallas’ midlevel exception. The Mavericks called re-signing Jones Jr. their “priority 1A and 1B” in free agency but quickly pivoted to Marshall.
“Naji brings a toughness, similar to what Derrick Jones brought to us,” Michael Finley, the Mavericks vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager, said Tuesday. “He has the ability to guard one through five if need be and he has a desire to get better.”
Jones Jr. reportedly agreed to a 3-year, $30 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. Marshall will have some big defensive shoes to fill this upcoming season.
“That’s kind of my MO, toughness on defense,” Marshall said Tuesday at an introductory news conference. “It’s one of the things I bring to the game and something I love to do. … That’s what [the Mavericks] got this year. I’m going to pick up whatever slack they lost or add to.”
Marshall’s and Jones’ stats this past season were similar in many categories. Marshall averaged 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game with the Pelicans while Jones averaged 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists.
Sitting between Klay Thompson and Quentin Grimes, his new teammates, Marshall mentioned his experience guarding and competing against Mavericks’ star Luka Doncic. He’s relieved to finally share the same side of the court with the Mavericks superstar.
“Luka is an amazing player, just to learn from him, play with him,” Marshall said. “[I want to] make the game easier for him.”
But most important for Marshall, he said, was the opportunity to become a more well-rounded and consistent player with Dallas.
“Just my overall game, to get better on the defensive end and the offensive end,” Marshall said. “Any ways I can get better, make the game easier and soak up knowledge.”
Finley said he has full confidence Marshall will be an invaluable addition to the Mavericks’ roster.
“[Marshall is] going to do whatever it takes to win ball games and that’s one of the things that really attracted us to the young man and I’m looking forward to seeing him take on those challenges, night in and night out,” Finley said. “I know that if he continues to do that then the sky’s the limit for him.”
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