Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall poses during media day on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Naji Marshall has a new jersey number to match his third season with the Dallas Mavericks, a new contract extension and a new goal.
“Nothing-but-net threes,” Marshall said Friday during media day. “That’s it. That’s gonna make me unstoppable. I truly believe that. I’ve worked very hard on that.”
Marshall now wears the No. 3, an ode to his uniform number at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md. He’s coming off a career year with the Mavericks with career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Mavericks team president Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz signed him to a three-year, $52.2 million contract extension this offseason that could keep him in Dallas through the 2029-30 season.
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“Just a blessing,” Marshall said. “I thank Masai, my guy Mike, the whole Dallas organization. Since I’ve been here, the city, the team, has welcomed me with open arms and I love them back, and I just look forward to building a winning culture and just doing my job.”
Marshall has set a goal to increase his 3-point shooting from 29.1% to over 45% from beyond the arc. It’s an ambitious target, especially since his career-high mark is 38.7%, from his final season in New Orleans, but he’s confident he can improve as a perimeter shooter.
The Mavericks hired renowned shooting coach Rob Fodor as an assistant during the offseason, prying him away from the Miami Heat after 20 years with the franchise. Fodor was the first full-time shooting coach in team history for the Heat, leading the organization to its seven highest season totals for 3-point field goals made.
Has Marshall noticed any changes in his jump shot, thanks to the adjustments from Fodor?
“Hell yeah. I feel like he fixed my whole swag,” Marshall said. “That’s why I was so confident saying 45[%]. That guy is unbelievable. I’ve worked with him every day since I found out how much of a GOAT he was.”
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Marshall has spent the first three days of practice working on his 3-point technique with Fodor, alongside veteran forward Caleb Martin, another player who will benefit from the longtime shooting coach’s presence.
Known for his signature floater and ability to use his ball-handling and his body to penetrate the paint, Marshall said he’s open to playing whatever role coach Dusty May needs of him.
“Naji is a playmaker,” May said. “He’s tough. He’s got a high basketball IQ as well. He’s a different type of player because with the ball in his hands, he gets floaters. He’s a good finisher. He’s a good corner 3-point shooter. He had a couple years in New Orleans where he shot the ball much better than he did last year.”
May also said the Mavericks being “a very unselfish team and a very good passing team,” means every player has the chance to improve his 3-point shooting.
Last season, the Mavericks ranked 26th in the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage and 29th in made 3-point field goals. The perimeter shooting opportunities were scarce, with several players in and out of the lineup. Max Christie and Klay Thompson served as the team’s primary volume sharpshooters. Thompson agreed to a buyout to join the Heat, but the Mavericks addressed 3-point shooting with the addition of Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser and Tarik Biberovic. Irving’s return should also help in that department.
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Marshall averaged a career-best 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 74 games last season, while shooting 51%. As one of Dallas’ most reliable players, he eclipsed the 30-point mark six times. The production was enough to make an impression on Ujiri, who complimented his approach shortly after Marshall’s extension was announced.
“He is a competitive player who impacts winning in a variety of ways,” Ujiri said in a prepared statement. “His versatility, toughness, and willingness to embrace every challenge make him an important part of what we’re building.”
Marshall prides himself on his versatility on both ends of the floor, but he also understands he has room for improvement, especially from the 3-point line. Despite his recent history from beyond the arc, he’s certain that he’ll achieve his goal.
“I’m not going to surprise me,” Marshall said. “I might surprise some of you guys [reporters], but that’s for sure the next step.”
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