Naji Marshall has become one of the NBA’s best success stories, going from an undrafted free agent to a key rotation piece on a championship-contending team.
His grittiness, defensive versatility, and improved playmaking have earned him a significant second contract that changed his financial life forever.
In this article, you will know Naji Marshall’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Naji Marshall’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Naji Marshall |
| Nickname | The Knife |
| Date of Birth | January 24, 1998 |
| Age | 27 |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Weight | 220 lbs (100 kg) |
| Education | Xavier University |
| Turned Pro | 2020 |
| Net Worth | Approx. $6.5 Million |
| Current Salary | $9,000,000 (2025-26) |
| Wife/Partner | N/A |
| @najimarshall | |
| Twitter (X) | @najimarshall |
Early Career
Naji Marshall’s basketball journey began in Atlantic City, New Jersey, but his path to the NBA wasn’t a straight line.
He played high school basketball at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Maryland before transferring to Hargrave Military Academy, a powerhouse prep school known for churning out Division I talent.
At Hargrave, he sharpened his skills and developed the physical toughness that would later define his professional career. His performance there caught the eye of several major colleges, but he eventually committed to Xavier University, a program known for developing gritty, two-way wings.
At Xavier, Marshall quickly became a fan favorite. Over three seasons, he evolved from a role player into the team’s primary offensive engine. By his junior year, he was averaging nearly 17 points per game and showing flashes of NBA-level playmaking ability.
Despite his impressive college stats and All-Big East honors, scouts were split on his NBA potential. Some questioned his shooting consistency, while others loved his passing and size.
After the 2019-20 season was cut short, he declared for the NBA Draft, betting on himself despite not having a guaranteed first-round promise.
Professional Career
Marshall went undrafted in 2020, a disappointment that fueled his relentless work ethic. The New Orleans Pelicans signed him to a two-way contract, giving him a chance to prove himself in the G-League and limited NBA minutes.
Unlike many undrafted rookies who fade away, Marshall seized every opportunity. His defense was immediately translatable, and his ability to handle the ball as a 6’7″ forward made him unique.
He played with a chip on his shoulder that coaches loved, eventually forcing the Pelicans to convert his two-way deal into a standard multi-year NBA contract.
Over four seasons in New Orleans, “The Knife” became a reliable “Swiss Army Knife” for the team. He filled in as a starter when stars were injured and provided a spark off the bench when the team needed energy.
His breakout moment came during the 2023-24 season when he shot a career-best from three-point range, proving he could space the floor. This improvement paid off massively in free agency.
In July 2024, he signed a lucrative three-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, joining forces with Luka Dončić to provide the wing depth the team desperately needed for another title run.
Naji Marshall’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Naji Marshall’s net worth is estimated to be around $6.5 Million. This figure has grown significantly following his move to Dallas, where his salary jumped from a minimum-level exception to a substantial mid-level veteran salary.
Contract
Marshall signed the biggest contract of his career: a 3-year, $27 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
This contract is fully guaranteed, providing him with financial security he didn’t have during his early years on non-guaranteed deals. The contract runs through the 2026-27 season, paying him an average of $9 million annually.
Salary
For the current 2025-26 NBA season, Naji Marshall is earning a base salary of $9,000,000.
This is a massive increase compared to his rookie season, where he earned just over $120,000 on a two-way contract.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Salary Earned |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Dallas Mavericks | $9,000,000 |
| 2024-25 | Dallas Mavericks | $8,571,429 |
| 2023-24 | New Orleans Pelicans | $1,930,681 |
| 2022-23 | New Orleans Pelicans | $1,782,621 |
| 2021-22 | New Orleans Pelicans | $1,517,981 |
| 2020-21 | New Orleans Pelicans | $120,000 |
| Total | Career Earnings | ~$22,922,712 |
Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Dallas Mavericks | 33 | 13.3 | 4.7 | 2.5 | 53.3% | 31.6% |
| 2024-25 | Dallas Mavericks | 69 | 13.2 | 4.8 | 3.0 | 50.8% | 27.5% |
| 2023-24 | New Orleans Pelicans | 66 | 7.1 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 46.3% | 38.7% |
| 2022-23 | New Orleans Pelicans | 77 | 9.1 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 43.3% | 30.3% |
| 2021-22 | New Orleans Pelicans | 55 | 5.7 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 40.5% | 20.0% |
| 2020-21 | New Orleans Pelicans | 32 | 7.7 | 4.6 | 2.8 | 39.2% | 34.9% |
| Career | All Teams | 332 | 9.3 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 45.6% | 30.5% |
FAQs
1. What is Naji Marshall’s current contract with the Mavericks?
Naji Marshall is currently on a three-year, $27 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, which he signed in July 2024. The deal pays him an average of $9 million per season through 2027.
2. Why is Naji Marshall nicknamed “The Knife”?
Fans and broadcasters call him “The Knife” because of his sharp cutting ability to the basket and his versatile “Swiss Army Knife” style of play, where he contributes defense, passing, and rebounding.
3. Did Naji Marshall get drafted into the NBA?
No, Naji Marshall went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft after leaving Xavier University. He fought his way onto the New Orleans Pelicans roster through a two-way contract before earning a standard deal.
4. What college did Naji Marshall attend?
He played three seasons of college basketball at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was an All-Big East selection and the team’s leading scorer during his junior year.
5. How much is Naji Marshall earning in the 2025 season?
For the 2025-26 NBA season, Naji Marshall is earning a base salary of $9,000,000 as part of the second year of his contract with the Dallas Mavericks.
