Klay Thompson impressed by Mavericks’ offseason addition in team’s practice session (Image Credit: IMAGN)
Veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson was hailed as the Dallas Mavericks’ preeminent 2024 free-agency addition. However, according to Thompson, fellow offseason acquisition Naji Marshall has been one of his new squad’s biggest early training camp standouts.
In early July, Thompson made countless headlines for leaving the Golden State Warriors, the organization that drafted him in 2011. The four-time NBA champion joined Dallas on a three-year, $50 million contract via a sign-and-trade deal, cementing himself as one of the franchise’s core players.
Thompson is expected to bring the Mavericks additional floor spacing and complementary scoring around superstar guard Luka Doncic and his co-star Kyrie Irving.
However, the reigning Western Conference champions also made a series of relatively under-the-radar offseason moves. That includes signing Marshall to a three-year, $27 million contract.
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On Tuesday, Thompson raved about the ex-New Orleans Pelicans wing’s two-way versatility to begin training camp, appearing surprised by his new teammate’s impact.
“Naji played incredible,” Thompson said. “I mean, the guy was making floaters, pull-ups. I thought he played really well. I was impressed with Naji. He scored a couple of times on me. His jumper was fluid and his midrange was nice. So, Naji was really impressive today.”
Standing at 6-foot-7 with the ability to defend guards and forwards, space the floor and finish off cuts, Marshall could be a key bench piece for Dallas. He is expected to fill in for athletic two-way forward Derrick Jones Jr., who played a crucial role in the Mavericks’ 2024 NBA Finals run. Jones departed for the LA Clippers in free agency, freeing up minutes in Dallas’ frontcourt rotation.
Across 66 outings with New Orleans last season, Marshall averaged 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.9 3-pointers per game. He also shot career highs of 46.3% and 38.7% from deep, which should bode well for his fit playing off Doncic and Irving.
Klay Thompson gushes over Luka Doncic’s playmaking
Naji Marshall seemingly isn’t the only Maverick who has impressed Klay Thompson thus far. During NBA Media Day on Monday, the five-time All-Star praised Luka Doncic’s playmaking ability.
Thompson highlighted his and Doncic’s burgeoning pick-and-roll chemistry, noting that he is looking forward to playing alongside his new teammate.
“I’ll have to adjust to playing off such good creators. In Golden State it was a very motion-based offense,” Thompson said. “Just being able to play with Luka the last few days, his ability in the pick-and-roll is maybe the best I’ve ever seen. It’ll be fun to play with him in those sets because he draws so much attention and he gets so many open looks from the perimeter.”
Thompson and Co. will put their chemistry to the test when they kick off their four-game preseason schedule at home against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 7.
