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According to some of those NBA folks, the names that have been attached to the Lakers as potential trade targets are Dallas’ Naji Marshall, a former Doncic teammate, Cleveland’s De’Andre Hunter, Minnesota’s Donte DiVincenzo and Sacramento’s Keon Ellis. New Orleans’ Troy Murphy III and Herbert Jones are two players the Lakers have shown some interest in — as have many other teams — but NBA people say the asking price is so high that teams are waiting to see if that comes down by the deadline next week.
NBA Communications: Other nominees… West: Saddiq Bey (NOP), Kevin Durant (HOU), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), James Harden (LAC) and Naji Marshall (DAL) East: Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell (MIA), Jalen Duren (DET), Jalen Johnson (ATL), Donovan Mitchell (CLE) and Coby White (CHI)
While Anthony Davis’ market is tepid because of his contract status and injury history, other Mavericks players are drawing interest from rival teams. Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, in particular, is a player in demand. “I think half the league is interested in him,” one scout with a Western Conference team said. The Mavericks are signaling they’d like to hold onto Marshall and that it would take something extraordinary to consider moving the 28-year-old, who is in the midst of a career year.
When it comes to Marshall — who is in Year 2 of a rather attractive three-year, $27 million pact — Dallas is said to be unwilling to listen to any trade approaches that don't feature a future first-round pick.
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Christian Clark: Final: Mavericks 123, Warriors 115 Dallas overcomes 21 turnovers and Steph Curry’s eight 3s to win its fourth straight game. Longest winning streak of the season. Naji Marshall: 30 points (10-12 FG), 7 rebounds, 9 assists. Cooper Flagg: 21 points and 11 rebounds. Next up: Lakers on Saturday.
Grant Afseth: Final: Mavericks 144, Jazz 122 Klay Thompson: 26 PTS, 1 REB, 6 AST Naji Marshall: 22 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL Jaden Hardy: 19 PTS, 1 REB, 5 AST Brice Sensabaugh: 27 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST Keyonte George: 17 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST Dallas (16-26) and Utah rematch on Saturday.
League sources say that, in addition to Daniel Gafford and interest in the center from various Eastern Conference teams, versatile swingman Naji Marshall has been generating trade inquiries from rival teams. The Mavericks, I'm told, prefer not to move Marshall, who has routinely outperformed the three-year, $27 million deal he signed to replace Derrick Jones Jr. from the team that reached the NBA Finals in 2024. Yet offers for Gafford or Marshall that provide financial relief between now and the deadline presumably have to be considered.
Marc Stein: Klay Thompson, Caleb Martin, D'Angelo Russell, in this apron era, it's hard for me to see teams chasing those contracts or being willing to take on those contracts. So, I've been saying it, I think, all season. Daniel Gafford probably has the most external interest at the moment because he's a big man. Teams in this league are on the lookout. Numerous teams in this league are always on the lookout, hoping to add proven size and his contract was signed to the dollar the most they could extend him, but also keep him trade eligible during the season. But I would think teams out there have to be noticing the all-around excellent play from Naji Marshall. Will the Mavs field interest in him? It's the kind of thing where when you're in the Mavs position, you have to be open to listening to anything.
Ron Harrod Jr.: Naji Marshall talks about the Mavs injuries this season: “That’s def not an excuse. I think you build a roster for things to happen like that and for guys to step up.”
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Ron Harrod Jr.: Mavs forward Naji Marshall, who went undrafted, talks about players that played in the G league:/ were drafted going back to play college basketball: “I know how hard it is to come up for a guy like me. … it’s going to be hard going forward.”
Grant Afseth: Final: Mavericks 131, Nuggets 130 Cooper Flagg: 33 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST Anthony Davis: 31 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST Naji Marshall: 15 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST Jamal Murray: 31 PTS, 7 REB, 14 AST Nikola Jokić: 29 PTS, 7 REB, 14 AST Tim Hardaway Jr.: 23 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST Dallas (21-7) faces the Warriors on the road on Thursday as part of the NBA's Christmas Day slate.
Mike Curtis: Naji Marshall has been downgraded to questionable for tonight’s game against the Pistons due to an illness. Anthony Davis is still questionable with a left calf contusion, but illness has been added to the designation. Brandon Williams (right Achilles soreness) & D’Angelo Russell (illness) remain questionable.
Kidd praised you for how you have played multiple positions this season. What has gone into that? Marshall: “Honestly, it’s just about playing hard. That trumps everything. It just depends on what the game gives me. Sometimes the game gives me a jumper. Sometimes the game makes somebody else wide open. So I’m going to find the extra pass. I’m sharpening my skills. I want to continue to be a better role player. That’s whatever the team needs to win.”
