The Dallas Mavericks have a gem in forward Naji Marshall, a player who could have been a game-changer for the Los Angeles Lakers. Known for his quiet proficiency, Marshall has emerged as one of the NBA's top two-way players, and his synergy with former teammate Luka Doncic in the 2024-25 season is still fresh in fans' minds.
Marshall's presence on a team-friendly contract must have the Lakers pondering what could have been as they missed the chance to snag him before the 2026 NBA trade deadline. At 28, Marshall has spent the last two seasons proving his worth, showcasing his defensive prowess across multiple positions and his crafty scoring ability.
While not a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, Marshall's strengths lie in his on-ball defense and shot creation, making him an ideal sixth man. The Lakers, currently struggling at No. 23 in points allowed per isolation possession, No. 24 in defensive rating, and No. 29 in bench points per game, clearly needed a player of Marshall's caliber.
A trade for Marshall could have addressed these gaps, offering Doncic a familiar ally to ease the load.
Naji Marshall: A Potential Savior for the Lakers' Second Unit
Marshall is averaging 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 three-pointers per game on .530/.298/.766 shooting. Despite his three-point struggles, his overall game compensates for it. He's a savvy scorer, adept at finding gaps in defenses and converting midrange shots and floaters with ease.
His 58.1 percent shooting on 7.6 drives per game is noteworthy, especially as only Doncic and Austin Reaves on the Lakers average more drives. Marshall's ability to create shots would have been a boon for the Lakers' second unit, which lacks a reliable offensive generator.
Marshall's Impact Beyond the Stars
Marshall ranks in the 92nd percentile for one-on-one shotmaking efficiency and the 83rd percentile for midrange shot creation, skills that translate well in the postseason. Instead, the Lakers now hope for someone to step up during the playoffs to support their big three.
Defensively, Marshall stands out as one of the NBA's premier isolation defenders. While there are some concerns about his off-ball consistency, Lakers head coach JJ Redick has a track record of maximizing players' defensive potential. Yet, without a true lockdown wing, Redick's options are limited.
Marshall's Defensive Versatility
Marshall ranks in the 95th percentile for both perimeter isolation defense and matchup difficulty, showcasing his ability to guard stars across various positions and styles. His defensive feats include limiting Cade Cunningham to 5-of-13 shooting, Tyrese Maxey to 4-of-12, and Pascal Siakam to 3-of-9.
His defensive versatility would have been invaluable to a Lakers team struggling to defend effectively. Marshall could have elevated the Lakers to a new level of contention, providing the defensive backbone they've been missing.