Answer to Mavericks' backup point guard problem may already be on the roster

The Dallas Mavericks desperately need more point guard depth behind Kyrie Irving to begin next season. While Cooper Flagg will certainly play more point guard, a tandem of Sergio De Larrea and Marcus Sasser isn't strong enough to anchor the backcourt in a loaded Western Conference — especially if Irving misses time.

Naji Marshall could be Dallas' sneaky backup point guard answer

Fans have been adamant that Dallas needs to make a trade for another point guard, but the answer to the Mavs' roster hole behind Irving may already be on the roster: Naji Marshall. He's coming off a career year after averaging 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 51 percent from the field, and after receiving a three-year extension earlier this summer, Dallas clearly believes in his future.

While Marshall is listed as a 6-foot-6 forward, he has the skills to be one of Dallas' backup point guards behind Irving. He already has the most NBA experience of any of their other point guards, and he has the skills to run the offense in spurts.

What makes Marshall an intriguing point guard option?

Marshall's passing is easily one of the most underrated parts of his game, and he does an excellent job of making the right read rather than forcing passes and committing turnovers. He is a good playmaker in transition, as he has a good feel for whether to go score or dump the ball off to a teammate. Marshall is also a good alley-oop passer.

His knack for driving to the rim also gives him notable on-ball gravity when generating paint touches, giving him opportunities to find open shooters on the perimeter when defenders collapse on him. Marshall has a strong floater, and as soon as defenses commit to trying to stop it, he can dish the ball to shooters scattered beyond the arc.

Dallas' priority to add more shooting this season has been evident, and they have the personnel to take a step in the right direction in this area. They were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA last season, but that should not be the case for the 2026-27 season.

Marshall's 3-point shooting remains a work in progress, as he shot below 30 percent from three for the second season in a row last season, but he doesn't need to be a knockdown shooter to thrive in this role as one of the Mavericks' lead ball handlers. He just needs to take care of the ball, spread the ball around to Dallas' shooters, and give Irving a breather when he needs it.

Dallas needs him as a guard more than a wing

Marshall's ball-handling, transition passing, and slashing should help make him a natural backup point guard for Dallas, and the Mavericks' surplus of wing depth makes his potential role in the backcourt even more intriguing. Dallas won't have many minutes to hand out on the wing, but if Marshall plays some point guard, his path to a large role is much clearer.

Dallas would've been better off if they focused more on adding guard depth through free agency and the trade market, but Marshall's presence could help fill this hole. He has already proven that he can play point guard since arriving in Dallas in the summer of 2024, and he could be their saving grace as they attempt to reach the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2024.

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