Naji Marshall is heading into his second season with the Dallas Mavericks. Marshall had a strong finish last season after dealing with some sicknesses on and off that affected his play until around the new year. We saw him step into a role that was unexpected by many, assuming point guard duties after Kyrie Irving tore his ACL. While those responsibilities were shared with Brandon Williams and Dante Exum, Marshall excelled with his new responsibilities. He pushed the pace for Dallas, often taking
the ball in transition and finding open shooters. Watching him with the ball in his hands felt like watching a wrecking ball, but it worked, and it was fun! While last season ended up being a complete wash, we were left with things that can be built upon once this team is healthy. One of those takeaways, personally, was how Marshall’s playmaking could add to a healthy Mavericks team (whatever that means). Marshall plays with grit and ferocity, a combination that makes him a contagious fan-favorite.
Big Question
Where will Marshall fall in the Mavericks’ rotation this season? With the addition of rookie Cooper Flagg, the forward room for the Mavericks is now a lot fuller. During Monday’s preseason game, Marshall was the fifth man to come off the bench, replacing Flagg. While this is likely not to be the Mavericks’ rotation come opening night, Marshall seems to be firmly in the second unit. Dallas has a lot of different looks they can throw out on the floor, giving Jason Kidd some tough decisions to make. With Exum mysteriously MIA, Marshall has the opportunity to carve a role for himself early on as a secondary playmaker for the Mavericks.
Best Case Scenario
The best-case scenario for Marshall is that he carves out a role for himself early on, being available and ready when his number is called on. Marshall’s already been given praise for his efforts during training camp, with Kidd complimenting his efforts. While playmaking will continue to be by committee in Irving’s absence, Marshall has the opportunity to give Dallas a unique look. At his size, his ability to drive and kick, and attack close-outs will create open looks for him to hit shooters. It will be intriguing to see the possibility of lineups that Kidd can throw out there with Marshall in them. His size also allows him to fight for boards on the defensive end, and then turn around and push the pace in transition. The new addition to the coaching staff of Jay Triano complements Marshall’s playstyle. Triano has implemented a new motion offense into the Mavericks’ system.
His best-case scenario this season also would include hitting his shots at a higher clip. He shot a grotesque 23.7% from three in the final two months of the season, a number he can surely work to improve this year. If Marshall can reduce the shooting slumps, continue to defend, and make the right reads on offense, he will have an excellent year.
Worst Case Scenario
The worst-case scenario for Marshall this season would be that he can’t stay healthy enough to find a consistent role in the Mavericks’ rotation. Again, the Mavericks have a lot of forwards on the squad. This leaves little to no room for error for these guys as they fight for minutes off the bench. If Marshall’s availability were to become an issue, it’s hard to imagine a world where it does not impact his role this year.
Season Goal
A goal for Marshall is to hit his shots at a more efficient rate. Aside from Klay Thompson, the Mavericks have no standout shooters. Dallas is bound to have nights where they will struggle to score, making it necessary for guys like Marshall to make improvements on their jump shots. The ideal goal would be seeing Marshall make it back to the 38.7% he shot in his final season with the Pelicans, but one would settle for hovering around the 35% range. Another goal for Marshall this season would be one he’s given himself. Marshall said he wants to try and play all 82 games. While I will grant him some grace on that one, my personal goal for Marshall is to see him appear in at least 75 games, a six-game improvement from last season. The Mavericks are likely to need a next-man-up mentality again this season due to health concerns. Marshall showed last year that he’s capable of stepping up when necessary.
Overall
While Marshall’s final place within the rotation is still unknown due to the plethora of forwards the Mavericks have, he will give the Mavericks a unique look with his playmaking abilities and overall versatility. He has proved thus far in his Mavericks tenure that he can be relied on when his name is called. With the mentality he plays with, combined with his unique ball-handling capabilities at his size, he has a lot to bestow upon Flagg this season. Marshall’s mentality is great for the team, and it has shown that his “dog mentality” has had an effect on the other guys in the locker room. With a new season on the horizon, Marshall has a lot to add to this team, and it will be fascinating to see how it pans out.
