FA: Naji Marshall To DAL | 3yrs/27mil

[soog]

Mavs moved to plan b fast.  I wonder if there was a lot of doubt or if they got a firm answer on Jones.

I am not sure if we improved but Marshall will probably be fin in an off bench role and playing 20-25 minute a night.  It is tough to tell a starter on a finals team who is a fa that we want you back but we can’t guarantee a starting spot.

I didn’t know Marshall has shot so well from 3.  We will see.

They did move fast. I’m not sure if it is lack of confidence they could re-sign DJJ or just not willing to bet on “hopes and prayers” that DJJ would come back in 15days. That’s a long time to wait and let the rest of the FA market dry up.

If Klay can fit into a THJ TE, then could this be a part of another S&T and a back up if DJJ doesn’t come back?

If DJJ is looking for a payday it seems pretty foolish to change agents when he did. The money he wants may not be available by the time he can negotiate.

[LukaMVP]

backup PF and ball handler yeah. Klay won't be our last big move this summer I guess.

[Deebo]

Yes, some of us enjoyed having a top level defense and being more athletic than opponents.

Naah just not good enough shooter and little too skinny.  I need better.

[Chicagojk]

https://www.reddit.com/r/NOLAPelicans/s/ijGm2dU6C0

[KillerLeft]

Naah just not good enough shooter and little too skinny.  I need better.

Well, remember that when the season ends earlier next year than this one did.

[Jym]

They did move fast. I’m not sure if it is lack of confidence they could re-sign DJJ or just not willing to bet on “hopes and prayers” that DJJ would come back in 15days. That’s a long time to wait and let the rest of the FA market dry up.

If Klay can fit into a THJ TE, then could this be a part of another S&T and a back up if DJJ doesn’t come back?

If DJJ is looking for a payday it seems pretty foolish to change agents when he did. The money he wants may not be available by the time he can negotiate.

for sure couldn't wait 
would have been such a Cuban move to actually wait around the 2 weeks

[SleepingHero]

https://www.reddit.com/r/NOLAPelicans/s/ijGm2dU6C0

Some comments that stuck out:

Great team mate. Between him and PJ you'll never want for a lack of enforcers.
Good defence, high energy guy. Might run some bench unit when Luka and Kai are not on the floor (similar to Exum). Can make bone headed decisions on occasion.
Decent shooter who seems to have taken a leap from the corner. Time will tell if that hangs around or was just a good streak.
Going to miss the Knife.

As a pels fan who watches 60+ mavs games a year you guy will love him, basicly imagine THJ but better in every area. He will shoot shots with like 3 fingers up his ass and still drain them randomly. The crotch grab before he starts talking shit goes crazy too

Why is he joining the Mavs? They're a division rival and a huge reason we were bounced to the play-in (and Zion's injury). Seriously going to make our life more difficult, nobody wants to move out East.

[DanSchwartzgan]

Has anyone called to check on Killer?

Sorry I’m late to the party.  Whether Naji comes by exception or S&T, we are hardcapped at $178.1mm.  New number for incoming salary with Green outgoing is about $17.5mm.  New number with Maxi as the outgoing is about $16mm. If you send out both to bring back a bigger dollar player, you have about $26.5mm under the apron with 14 players and a replacement minimum in the 2 for 1.

[donzingis38]

I'm thinking maybe DJJ doesn't want to come off the bench as the Mavs chase Klay or Jerami Grant. Marshall doesn't mind that bench role. I'm speculating.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

He's literally a younger James Johnson if you've ever watched a Pelicans game. He tries to start a fight almost every game. He's an enforcer. Above average athlete.

He shot well from 3 last year on 2 attempts per game. For our sake, I hope he can build on that. Otherwise, he has been one of the worst offensive players in the league.

I bet the word "toughness" is used a lot in his introductory press conference.

[Chicagojk]

Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 
Free agent F Naji Marshall has agreed on a three-year, $27 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN.

They did move fast. I’m not sure if it is lack of confidence they could re-sign DJJ or just not willing to bet on “hopes and prayers” that DJJ would come back in 15days. That’s a long time to wait and let the rest of the FA market dry up.

If Klay can fit into a THJ TE, then could this be a part of another S&T and a back up if DJJ doesn’t come back?

If DJJ is looking for a payday it seems pretty foolish to change agents when he did. The money he wants may not be available by the time he can negotiate.

The hopes and prayers stuff is probably right.  They probably couldn’t get a firm commitment and decided it was too risky to wait around and then find out a team who missed in free agency comes hard at DJJ a few days ago.

Hopefully DJJ gets paid…in the East.  He played too well this year to be left out again.  Hopefully he winds up with a good team too…in the East.

[SleepingHero]

Has anyone called to check on Killer?

Sorry I’m late to the party.  Whether Naji comes by exception or S&T, we are hardcapped at $178.1mm.  New number for incoming salary with Green outgoing is about $17.5mm.  New number with Maxi as the outgoing is about $16mm.

There is always a chance that DJJ stays. He can't negotiate till July 11th with any team I'm pretty sure, given that he has no representation.

Mavs could circle back and keep DJJ then if nothing else materializes for either party.

[Titans41]

Derrick Jones will forever be etched in Mavs lore for his exceptional performance last season, and particularly the playoffs.

But neither Mavs fans nor front office had any idea he would be the fit he turned out to be.

Naji has had a more productive career in the league than DJJ prior to the latter’s arrival in Dallas.

It seems like the organization continues to add plus defenders, albeit maybe not elite defenders, who offer more offensive flexibility and upside.

[KillerLeft]

Marshall is a good get. Very nice add.

It’s what this means for the rest of the summer that has me bummed.

I would’ve been ecstatic with them somehow adding Grimes, DJJ and Marshall.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I seriously doubt DJJ is going to wait 15 days to sign with someone.

That's just what everyone is using as an excuse for the Mavs not getting him.

[KillerLeft]

It seems like the organization continues to add plus defenders, albeit maybe not elite defenders, who offer more offensive flexibility and upside.

This is FOR SURE what they’re thinking, and it’s not the wrong thought. 

It’s just that they only have one POA defender on the roster right now, and I don’t think he’s going to play enough to have the type of impact Jones just did.

[Deebo]

We need better 3 point shooters!!! Jones wasn’t good. 34% ain’t good enough on mostly open 3s.

[SleepingHero]

I seriously doubt DJJ is going to wait 15 days to sign with someone.

That's just what everyone is using as an excuse for the Mavs not getting him.

But he can't technically negotiate right now. He HAS to wait 15 days before his new agents can talk to other teams.

[SleepingHero]

[KillerLeft]

We need better 3 point shooters!!!  Jones wasn’t good. 34% ain’t good enough on mostly open 3s.

That is surface level, and everyone here knows that because we all understand basketball. We’ve been talking about it all season.

If the three point shooters aren’t able to make up for the defensive shortcomings of Luka and Kyrie, they still lose, just with a higher score. The team has to make sense on both ends of the floor. Last year was the first time it made sense on the defensive end of the floor since 2011. Literally, that long, although 2022’s defense had its moments.