12-29-2025, 10:51 AM
(12-29-2025, 10:13 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: The Marshall question is really interesting. He has been one of the better Mavs this year and is on a great contract. Would I want to pay him 50-100% higher on his next contract? Him getting put as a starter was interesting to me awhile ago. I thought he has played well there but it is always sort of a weird fit. I would be ok exploring him in a trade but it would need to be a clear win for Dallas in return. To be honest, I thought he would be the odd man out (especially considering our pick this year may also be in the 2-4 position range even crowding that spot more). Although, recently I have begun think PJ is the odd fit. Regardless PJ has a new contract while Marshall will be looking for a big raise soon.
As far as ATL goes, the Mavs need to be right on Rischashar. That can't be a player you miss on.
Personally, I am still leaning towards waiting until the offseason to move AD, but I could change my opinion. Also this also needs to be considered.
https://x.com/Boweman55/status/2005649516859629821
When it comes to Marshall, I'm torn.
Yes, he has stepped up this year. But, I think he has been capable of playing this way the entire time, and the uptick in his game has been about the team not having any other alternative in terms of initiating offense. Check out the W-L record, and I think it's easy to see how much help it has actually been to rely on Marshall for offensive initiation.
Plus, Flagg is officially an inside type of scorer, at least to start his career, and I can't escape the feeling that his development as a go-to-guy type would improve exponentially with adequate shooting/spacing around him to open up driving lanes, high post opportunities...basically any situation where he has the ball 15' in or closer without at least three defenders being there with him. He's scoring quite a bit there now, and getting fouled. Can you imagine how well he'd do if the opponent was forced to guard him 1-on-1 there, or if there were clear passes to shooting threats available when they didn't? The problem is that too many (almost all) of the Mavs are focused on driving "close outs" (sarcastic quotes, because teams aren't really closing out on Mavs shooters these days) rather than shooting the open threes they get. This is true for AD, PJW, Williams and at times even Nembhard and Christie, but to my mind the biggest culprit of all is Naji Marshall. I know we like his driving ability and physical play style, and he's actually pretty good at getting effective shots off inside off of those drives, but...idk, it's just not fitting with Flagg for me. I think, personally, one of Marshall or PJW should be moved while their value is highest. I think the next level for this offense is very likely to require one or both of those roles to go to a guy who looks to shoot first and drive second. Every time I watch the team, this opinion gets stronger. Both forwards are good players, but I just don't like their fits on offense (or defense, really).
My only hesitation about throwing Marshall into a deal like this is concern that it wouldn't be maximizing his value. If he's the sweetener that gets that one extra great pick, or that one extra intriguing young guy, then sure. But, as people have pointed out, he's a good player who plays both sides of the floor and is on a tremendous value contract. He's a great asset, and I wonder if a better deal can be had on a smaller scale just trading him to a team looking for exactly what he brings to the table.
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