Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall is making a bold promise to fix his biggest weakness, declaring he can shoot 45% from three-point range this season. The wing's confidence comes as the Mavericks look to stabilize after a tough stretch, most recently a 149-128 win over the Chicago Bulls on April 13, 2026, that snapped a four-game losing streak.
Marshall was direct at the team's media day. “Nothing but net threes. That’s it, gonna make me unstoppable. I truly believe that. I worked very hard on that,” he stated. He later clarified on social media that he "rounded up a lil bit," but the target remains ambitious. For a player with a career three-point percentage of 30.0% over six seasons, even a jump to 38% would be significant.
His last season with the New Orleans Pelicans saw a peak of 38.7%, but on just 2.3 attempts per game. Since joining Dallas on a three-year, $51.8 million deal, his accuracy has dipped to 28.3%. Improving that shot is vital for a player who excelled as a slasher last year, using a potent floater in the paint.
The Mavericks' recent form highlights their offensive inconsistency. Before the big win over Chicago, they lost four straight, including a 112-107 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on April 9 and a 123-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on April 1. They were one of the league's worst three-point shooting teams last year.
Adding a reliable wing shooter like Marshall would create key spacing for stars Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. It forces defenders to stay home, opening driving lanes and pick-and-roll actions. Marshall's defensive versatility already makes him valuable, but a consistent three-point shot would elevate his role from rotation piece to essential starter.
Dallas made a key offseason hire to address shooting woes. They brought in assistant coach Rob Fodor, who previously worked with the Miami Heat and is credited with developing Duncan Robinson into an elite shooter. Fodor also coached Tim Hardaway Sr. His track record of refining mechanics and building confidence could be perfect for Marshall's development.
The team also added shooters like Tarik Biberovic, Marcus Sasser, and Santi Aldama. But internal improvement from existing players like Marshall is just as important for a deep playoff run.
The team's 149-128 victory over Chicago provided a needed offensive explosion. However, their last five games show a 1W-4L record (WLLLL). The losses were narrow, like the 137-131 defeat to Golden State on March 24, and more decisive, like the 129-111 loss to New Orleans on March 17.
Marshall's projected improvement isn't just about personal stats. It's about providing the Mavericks with another weapon to avoid those scoring droughts. If he can even approach his target, it changes how opponents defend Dallas entirely. The work with Coach Fodor begins now, with the season's outcome potentially riding on such key adjustments.
