01-26-2026, 12:45 PM
(01-26-2026, 12:29 PM)Nowitzki Way Wrote: Naji's value will never be higher. He's playing the best ball of his career. If we can start a small bidding war and get some real value for him, you trade him. Love the guy but now may be the time.
He's 28. Not a great shooter and next year is a contract year. His long term fit. Well there doesn't seem to be one.
Almost every contender can use a Naji Marshall type. He's not a superstar but his value is a 6th, 7th guy on a playoff rotation. A defensive wing who will play hard and play solid D. And surprisingly score when needed. Every championship team has a Naji type. He can have similar impact as Dort for OKC. Or Bruce Brown for the Nuggets when they won. Think DeShawn Stevenson for our 2011 championship team.
If you're a contender this year like Detroit, Boston, Houston, San Antonio. You'd want to be the team acquiring a guy like that and not by someone you'll have to play in the playoffs.
I don't think Naji is anywhere close to what Dort is. Dort is an absolute pest on defense. While I am not trying to say that Naji is a bad defender, he is good. But there are levels to good and Dort is a couple of them higher. Dort is also a very good 3pt shooter. Bruce Brown in his best year could be a better comparison, although I would also say that he was a better defender.
I would claim that all of those teams you listed already have their Naji on their rosters. Or a couple of them. Detroit has Ausar starting (much better defender plus high upside), LeVert, Green and Holland on the bench. Their biggest need is a better PF to replace Harris and additional shooting (they really miss Beasley, imho).
Boston builds their game on 3pt shooting. Other than centers, everyone on their team is required to shoot a lot. I don't really see them as a fit for Naji.
Houston has arguably longest list of 3-D wings in the league. Durant, Smith and Amen are starters. They have DFS, Tate, Eason and Okogie on the bench.
San Antonio, similar to Detroit, could use a better PF instead of Barnes when aiming for a title. They have Keldon Johnson in the role Naji would be playing for them, and he has an awesome season so far.