Mavericks' unexpected X-factor rises from struggles to stardom at perfect time

Coming into this season, when everyone discussed the newest additions to the Dallas Mavericks, they had their eyes set on Klay Thompson.

As of lately though, Thompson hasn't been the only one who has impressed the city of Dallas.

Dallas had several big additions, but one player is separating himself from the rest.

Marshall is playing elite basketball when the Mavs need him most

6-foot-5 forward Naji Marshall has proven this past week that he will be the X-factor when it comes to the Mavericks winning games now and moving forward.

Marshall, who started off the season in the first three games only averaging 2.6 points per game and shooting 26 percent from the field, has made a complete switch and looks like he is going to be one of the best role players off the bench.

In his most recent game against the Indiana Pacers, Marshall put up 20 points, six assists, and five rebounds, shot 8-9 on the night, and drilled his first two 3-pointers of his Mavericks career.

In the last three games, Marshall has averaged 4.6 assists per game and has proven that he could be the third ball handler for the Mavericks throughout this season, and this has been huge considering that Dante Exum is out with a wrist injury.

The beauty of having Marshall on this team also is that he's able to guard multiple positions. In the past few games we have seen Jason Kidd make the decision to go small and play P.J. Washington at the center spot, while Marshall played at the four.

In the 24 minutes of Marshall, Washington, and the three other usual starters of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson being on the floor together, they have a positive net rating of 11.8. One of the main reasons the Mavericks almost completed the double-digit comeback against the Houston Rockets was because of how efficient this lineup was on both ends of the floor.

Marshall is also tied with Dereck Lively II for the highest plus-minus on the team with having a plus 29 on the season so far.

One of the goals coming into the season for this Mavericks team was to make sure Doncic doesn't use as much energy on the offensive side of the floor compared to past years. With the addition of Marshall this year, that goal will surely be accomplished as he handles the ball a ton and can be trusted to push the ball in transition himself rather than having to depend on Doncic to do it.

If the Mavericks want to begin a winning streak, it's crucial that Marshall plays at the level of efficiency he's currently playing at. With Washington sitting out the game against the Chicago Bulls due to a knee injury, it's most likely we see Marshall play a heavy amount of minutes in his absence.

Kidd seems to have a great amount of trust in Marshall and his game, so it'll be completely up to him to take on the challenge and perform well. He is quickly emerging as a key role player for the Mavs, and he has turned around his struggles from the beginning of the season and is turning into an excellent role player for the Mavs.

Marshall plays winning basketball on both ends of the floor, and he is finally settling into his role. Mavs fans are watching him turn into one of the most important players on the team, and he is truly an X-factor to the Mavs having a big season.

He is showing signs that he can turn into a star in his role, and he has been one of the sole bright spots in Dallas' bench unit.

For all the news and updates on Naji Marshall and the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.