The Dallas Mavericks have strengthened their long-term plans by signing forward Naji Marshall to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced on Tuesday. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, in line with team policy.
Marshall earned the new deal after delivering the best season of his NBA career in 2025-26. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged career highs of 15.2 points, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 29.5 minutes per game while shooting 51.0 percent from the field across 74 appearances, including a career-best 47 starts. He also recorded six 30-point performances during the campaign, another personal best.
“Naji has earned this opportunity through the way he approaches the game every day,” Mavericks President Masai Ujiri said. “He is a competitive player who impacts winning in a variety of ways. His versatility, toughness and willingness to embrace every challenge make him an important part of what we’re building.”
Marshall has continued to grow since arriving in Dallas ahead of the 2024-25 season. Over two years with the Mavericks, he has averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 50.9 percent from the field in 143 games, including 78 starts. He has scored at least 30 points eight times during his tenure with Dallas after never reaching that mark in his first four NBA seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Across his NBA career, Marshall owns averages of 10.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.8 steals in 373 games split between New Orleans and Dallas. He has maintained shooting percentages of 47.1 percent from the field and 77.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Marshall entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and spent his first four seasons with the Pelicans before signing with the Mavericks on July 6, 2024. His steady improvement has made him an increasingly valuable contributor, culminating in the latest extension.
Before beginning his professional career, Marshall played three seasons at Xavier. During his collegiate career, he earned Big East All-Freshman Team honors in 2017-18, was named to the All-Big East Second Team in 2018-19, and finished with All-Big East First Team recognition in 2019-20.
The 28-year-old will also have a new look when the 2026-27 season begins, as he is set to switch his jersey number from No. 13 to No. 3.
