4 Pelicans players who improved their trade value in 2023
By Alex Murray
Naji Marshall, SF
Naji Marshall didn’t arrive in the NBA to much fanfare, going undrafted in 2020 before signing a two-way contract with the Pelicans. Marshall spent most of his rookie year with the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks/Birmingham Squadron, appearing in only 32 NBA games. He showed promise during New Orleans’ undefeated run in the 2021 Summer League, however, and parlayed that stretch into 55 appearances in his sophomore season.
This year the Xavier product really blossomed, setting new career highs in games (77), starts (21), minutes per game (23.3), field goal percentage (.433), and points per game (9.1). When he was allowed to stretch his legs out there and play 30+ minutes, he put up 15.2 points per game on 46 percent from the floor.
He’s only 25 and more of a luxury than a necessity for New Orleans when Ingram is healthy, so his breakout year should convince the Pelicans to pick up his club option this year and find a way to package him for a more dynamic big man. Marshall would be more than happy to stay right where he is, though.