The reigning Western Conference champions are adding some depth to their frontcourt.
The Dallas Mavericks signed forward Naji Marshall to a three-year, $27 million deal, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Sunday.
Marshall, 26, is a great 3-and-D addition for the already defensively stout Mavericks. He averaged 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.7 steals in limited minutes with the New Orleans Pelicans last season, but hit 38.7 per cent of his 3-pointers.
Playing behind the likes of Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Larry Nance in a crowded frontcourt pushed Marshall’s floor time down — rather than a lack of production.
The 6-foot-7 forward has played all four years of his NBA career in New Orleans after signing there as an undrafted free agent out of Xavier in 2020.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Dallas had been searching for a replacement on the wing after reports surfaced that they wouldn’t be able to re-sign forward Derrick Jones Jr. this off-season. They’re also reportedly still trying to facilitate a sign-and-trade with the Golden State Warriors for five-time all-star Klay Thompson.