Mavericks can't afford to overlook fan-favorite's most slept-on secret weapon

Heading into next season, the Dallas Mavericks' biggest challenge will be trying to mitigate their lack of top-end guard talent with Kyrie Irving out of the lineup until sometime next season, as Dallas' only projected rotational point guards are currently D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Williams, and Dante Exum. Exum's already had trouble staying healthy in preseason, though, so this could force someone like Ran Nembhard or Jaden Hardy into the rotation.

Despite Nembhard's strong Summer League and Hardy's flashes of strong spot-up shooting, the Mavericks undeniably need some more playmaking and shot creation than their current array of guards can provide, and it's without a doubt that Naji Marshall may be one of their best options to fulfill this duty.

From the wing position, Marshall has the best ball-handling repertoire and dribble-drive game out of any wing on Dallas' roster, maybe barring Cooper Flagg (remains to be seen still). Marshall's in-between game and floater were one of the most unstoppable single moves for Dallas all of last season, and it's definitely something Dallas can go to more often this season when offense is hard to come by.

Naji Marshall's guard skills will be essential for the Mavericks this season

On shots from 10-14 feet from the rim last season, Marshall shot 56.1 percent, which is an elite number from that range. It's obvious Marshall will need to be more efficient from outside next season, given Dallas' lack of perimeter creation, but his in-between game is something that Dallas can continue to use as a hub of offense for solid stretches.

Marshall is also a very witty passer for his size, especially when he gets within the teeth of the defense, so his playmaking is definitely something that Dallas will need next season. Overall, Dallas simply doesn't have other wings on the roster that can replicate Marshall's guard skills, and while it helps from a ball-handling perspective that he's smaller compared to some of the other wings on the roster, Marshall is still a stout body, which makes his guard skills even more impressive.

If Marshall can begin to hit 3-pointers at a rate that's at least league-average, there's even a possibility Dallas could start him at guard for some games, as he was an effective shot creator and playmaker during a slight stretch where he had to start at point guard for Dallas. If this is the case, Dallas could play a jumbo-sized lineup with Marshall as the starting point guard, as he'd be the shortest person in that lineup at 6-foot-6.

Regardless, Marshall will have a very essential role for Dallas this season, and while his shooting will dictate just how far his playmaking and shot creation can stretch for the Mavericks, he's in position to be a sixth-man candidate at the very least, especially if he can improve upon the 13.2 points and 3.0 assists per game he averaged last season.