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EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks with media during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2025 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are running out of time to find a wing upgrade before the February 5 trade deadline. After missing out on De’Andre Hunter and Keon Ellis, the Lakers have reportedly turned their attention to Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall.
They’re not alone in their pursuit. ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported Monday that the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and Boston Celtics have also inquired about Marshall.
The competition for Marshall’s services reflects how limited the wing market has become as the deadline approaches. Teams looking for two-way depth are circling the same handful of available players, and Dallas is taking advantage by holding a high asking price.
The Mavericks’ Asking Price
GettyNaji Marshall #13 of the Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas wants a first-round pick for Marshall, according to Siegel. That’s a steep price for a 28-year-old wing averaging 14.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 30.4 percent from three-point range.
The Mavericks don’t appear eager to trade Marshall over the likes of Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and others on their roster. That suggests Dallas views him as a valuable rotation piece they won’t move unless the return justifies it.
Marshall’s three-point shooting percentage makes him a less enticing trade target than other available wings. But his slashing ability and defensive activity have caught the Lakers’ attention. Los Angeles needs two-way contributors who can defend multiple positions and create their own offense when needed.
Marshall fits that description even if his outside shooting remains inconsistent. The Lakers can live with his three-point struggles if he provides everything else they’re seeking.
Why Marshall Makes Sense for the Lakers
Luka Doncic, Lakers
GettyLuka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Marshall was a teammate of Luka Doncic‘s in Dallas during the 2024-25 season. That familiarity would allow him to contribute immediately alongside the six-time All-Star in Los Angeles without needing time to learn his offensive tendencies.
Doncic’s playmaking creates open looks for teammates who can attack closeouts and finish around the rim. Marshall excels in those situations. His slashing ability complements Luka’s passing, and his defensive versatility would help shore up a Lakers perimeter that has struggled at times this season.
The Lakers are pressed for time after Hunter and Ellis came off the table. Los Angeles has expiring salaries to use in deals, but finding the right target has proven difficult. The franchise reportedly maintains continued interest in Andrew Wiggins, but the Miami Heat don’t appear interested in anything the Lakers have offered.
That leaves Marshall as one of the more realistic options for a team that needs to add wing depth before Thursday’s deadline.
The Competition From Contenders
The Knicks and Celtics present serious competition for Marshall. Both teams have better assets to offer than the Lakers, and both have clearer pathways to deep playoff runs that might appeal to Dallas if they’re looking to send Marshall to a contender.
New York has been aggressive at the deadline in recent years. The Knicks have shown willingness to part with draft capital for players who upgrade their rotation. If they decide Marshall fits their needs, they could outbid the Lakers easily.
Boston’s interest is particularly notable given that Siegel reported the Celtics’ front office is under no pressure to lessen their tax bill before the deadline. Initially, the expectation was that Boston would save money by flipping Anfernee Simons. That hasn’t happened, which suggests the Celtics are comfortable operating as buyers if the right opportunity presents itself.
Marshall would provide Boston with additional wing depth behind Jaylen Brown and the supporting cast that has helped the Celtics stay competitive without Jayson Tatum all season.
The Pistons also being in the mix adds another layer of competition. Detroit is building around young talent and could view Marshall as a veteran piece who helps stabilize their rotation. Whether they’re willing to meet Dallas’ first-round pick asking price remains uncertain.
The Lakers’ Deadline Dilemma
Los Angeles doesn’t have many options left. Missing out on Hunter and Ellis narrowed the field of available wings significantly. The Lakers need to find someone who can defend, attack closeouts, and contribute immediately in a playoff rotation.
Marshall checks those boxes even if his three-point shooting leaves room for improvement. But convincing Dallas to accept what the Lakers can offer while competing against teams with better assets won’t be easy.
The Mavericks hold leverage because they don’t need to move Marshall. He’s been productive for them this season, and they’re not desperate to clear salary or create roster space. Dallas can simply keep him if the return doesn’t meet their asking price.
That puts the Lakers in a difficult position with less than three days until the deadline. They need upgrades but don’t have the draft capital or young assets to outbid teams like the Knicks and Celtics in a competitive bidding situation.
Final Word
Marshall represents one of the Lakers’ remaining options for adding wing depth before Thursday’s deadline. His familiarity with Luka Doncic and his two-way skill set make him an appealing target despite his shooting struggles.
But the Lakers aren’t alone in their pursuit. The Knicks, Celtics, and Pistons all have interest, and Dallas is demanding a first-round pick in return. That asking price might be too steep for a player shooting 30.4 percent from three, but the limited wing market gives the Mavericks leverage.
Los Angeles will have to decide if Marshall is worth parting with a first-round pick or if they should look elsewhere. With Hunter and Ellis off the board and Wiggins unavailable, the options are dwindling rapidly.
The next 48 hours will reveal whether the Lakers can convince Dallas to make a deal or if they’ll be outbid by a contender with better assets. Either way, Marshall is a name to monitor as the February 5 deadline approaches. Multiple teams want him, but only one can land him before Thursday afternoon.