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The New York Knicks have been without Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart with injuries, but the latest updates could signal good news for the team.
The New York Knicks have won their last two games.
New York blew out the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 before edging the Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 in a defensive battle. The wins snapped a brutal stretch where the Knicks dropped nine of 11 games and raised serious questions about their playoff chances.
But two wins do not erase the problems that led to that slump. The Knicks’ bench remains thin, and head coach Mike Brown has struggled to find consistent production from the second unit. That lack of depth could become a major issue if New York wants to make a deep playoff run.
Henry Brown of Sports Illustrated recently proposed a trade that would address that problem. He suggested the Knicks pursue Dallas Mavericks wing Naji Marshall, who has been excellent this season despite playing for a rebuilding team.
Why Naji Marshall Fits the Knicks
Anthony Davis, Naji Marshall, Mavericks
GettyAnthony Davis of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates with Naji Marshall.
Marshall is having a career year.
He is averaging 14.2 points per game on a career-high 54% shooting. Despite rocky three-point shooting, Marshall plays bigger than his 6-foot-6 frame suggests. He bullies his way to the rim and finishes at a rate that resembles a lob-catching center rather than a wing.
Marshall provides exactly what the Knicks need: defense, playmaking, and scoring versatility off the bench. He can guard multiple positions, create shots for himself and others, and contribute without needing the ball in his hands. That type of two-way production would be invaluable for a Knicks team that struggles to generate consistent offense when Jalen Brunson sits.
Marshall’s ability to play alongside starters or lead the second unit makes him even more valuable. He has fluctuated between minutes with the starters and possessions directing fringe-big leaguers in Dallas. That versatility would allow Brown to use him in multiple lineups depending on matchups and game situations.
The Knicks need a reliable wing who can contribute on both ends. Marshall checks every box.
Why the Mavericks Would Trade Naji Marshall
Dallas is in full rebuild mode.
The Mavericks traded Luka Doncic last season and are now focused on building around Cooper Flagg. Marshall no longer fits the timeline.
The Mavericks are currently 12th in the Western Conference and have no realistic path to a championship. The front office has been open to trading veterans who do not fit the rebuild, and Marshall is at the top of that list.
Marshall’s contract also creates urgency for Dallas. He is owed around $9 million per season over the next two years. The Mavericks will need to decide whether to extend him or trade him before they lose leverage. Given that Dallas is rebuilding, trading him makes more sense than committing additional years and money to a player who will not be part of the long-term plan.
The Mavericks have already shown a willingness to move veteran players. The Anthony Davis storyline is evidence of that. Dallas is looking to recoup value by offloading older players and their contracts. Marshall fits that description, and the Knicks represent a logical trade partner.
What a Trade for Naji Marshall Would Cost
Guerschon Yabusele #28 of the New York Knicks
GettyGuerschon Yabusele #28 of the New York Knicks.
Marshall’s contract makes a trade relatively straightforward.
He is owed $9 million per season over the next two years, which is affordable for a team like the Knicks. New York would need to send out matching salary to make the deal work, and that is where things get complicated.
Henry Brown suggested a framework that would send Guerschon Yabusele and Miles McBride to Dallas in exchange for Marshall. The contracts match, and the Mavericks would receive two rotation players in return.
But parting with McBride is not ideal. McBride has been excellent this season and is one of the few bright spots on the Knicks’ bench. Trading him away to acquire Marshall would address one problem while creating another.
An alternative framework could involve Yabusele and a combination of younger players like Tyler Kolek and Pacome Dadiet. That package would allow the Knicks to keep McBride while still sending enough salary to Dallas to make the trade work.
The Mavericks are rebuilding and need young assets. Kolek and Dadiet are not proven players, but they fit the timeline Dallas is working with. If the Mavericks prefer youth over immediate production, that package could be more appealing than one built around McBride.
Does This Trade Make Sense for the Knicks?
Marshall would help the Knicks, but the cost matters.
If New York can acquire Marshall without giving up McBride, the trade makes sense. Marshall provides the two-way production the Knicks desperately need off the bench, and his contract is affordable. Adding him would deepen the rotation and give Brown more flexibility with his lineups.
But if the trade requires giving up McBride, the Knicks need to think carefully. McBride has been one of the team’s most consistent bench players this season. Trading him for Marshall might be a lateral move rather than a clear upgrade.
The Knicks are in a difficult spot. Their bench is thin, and they need to add depth before the February 5 trade deadline. But they cannot afford to make a move just for the sake of making a move. The cost has to justify the return.
Marshall is a good player. But he is not a difference-maker. He is a solid rotation piece who would help the Knicks, but he is not the type of player who transforms a contender into a championship favorite.