Marion's former teammate in Phoenix, Amar'e Stoudemire, got the call from Springfield. When might it be "The Matrix's" turn?
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced its 2026 class, and in rare fashion, the WNBA accompanies four times as many inductees than their NBA counterparts.
Amar'e Stoudemire is the lone honoree. He spent one season with the Dallas Mavericks, but his accomplishments and enshrinement are more significant from his career with another ex-Mav, Steve Nash, while on the Phoenix Suns.
Stoudemire had another All-Star teammate in Phoenix whose career overlapped in Dallas, though this player had more success with the Mavs than Nash and Stoudemire combined: versatile forward Shawn Marion.
"The Matrix" was a key role player on Dallas' iconic 2011 championship team. After losing shooting guard Caron Butler for the season midway through the schedule, Marion filled the void with clutch scoring and excellent defense throughout the end of the regular season and postseason.
ESPN believes Marion is one of 11 recently retired stars who have the best shot at being the next to get the Hall of Fame nod.
Marion, who ended his playing career after the 2014-15 season, is eligible for the Hall of Fame now, according to the NBA's rules that a player must be officially retired for at least three seasons to qualify for induction.
"Stoudemire's entry into the Hall is a big win for the "Seven Seconds or Less" Suns, who also saw coach Mike D'Antoni inducted this year as a contributor," said writer Ben Golliver. "Steve Nash & Co. never won a championship, but their undeniable influence on the pace-and-space nature of modern basketball deserves major recognition.
"Should Marion be next? The versatile 6-foot-7 forward has a lot going for him."
Marion played 16 seasons in the NBA, with five of his final six years coming in Dallas (2009-14). With the Mavs, Marion averaged 11.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 361 games (308 starts).
Marion played a key part in his lone NBA championship
While his induction would tie him to his stellar career with the Suns - and his career average of 18.4 points and 10 rebounds per game in nine seasons - Mavericks fans continually hold Marion in high regard because of his contributions in 2011, which helped him capture his only ring.
Marion posted 11.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game during the Mavs' title run. He started in all 21 games he appeared in across the four playoff series and shot 46 percent from the 3-point with that unorthodox jumper.
His biggest impact came when he scored 26 points in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to eliminate the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team led by a young trio of future MVPs Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
In the Finals against the newly-formed Heatles of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Marion scored in double figures in five of the six games, including 20 points in Dallas' historic fourth-quarter comeback in Game 2.
Marion remains close with the Mavs organization, often making appearances at charity events and regular-season games, such as when he joined the fraternity of Mavericks alumni at the jersey retirement of Mark Aguirre last season.
Other eligible Hall of Fame candidates named by ESPN include LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, Joe Johnson and Rajon Rondo.
Newly-retired and sure-fire first-ballot inductees Chris Paul and Westbrook will earn their eligibility in 2029.
"While Marion was never asked to carry a team like those legends did, there should be a place in Springfield for such a complete, productive and winning player," Golliver said.
