For many Dallas Mavericks fans, one of the franchise’s biggest regrets was letting Luka Doncic walk to the Los Angeles Lakers. Doncic had been on track to become one of the greatest players in NBA team history—arguably second only to Dirk Nowitzki. Now, a current Dallas teammate of Kyrie Irving and former teammate of Doncic has stirred the pot with his all-time Mavericks starting five—and left Luka out of it.
Forward Naji Marshall, who has stayed active this offseason by participating in events like the SwinCity League, recently sat down with reporters and was asked to name his ultimate starting lineup. And he went all-in on Dallas legends.
“J-Kidd (Jason Kidd), Kyrie (Irving), Michael Finley, Dirk (Nowitzki), Tyson Chandler,” Marshall said. Every player listed has worn a Mavericks jersey at some point—either as a player or, in Kidd and Finley’s case, as part of the organization’s leadership.
Irving, of course, is Dallas’ current star point guard. Kidd is now the team’s head coach, Finley serves as assistant general manager, Nowitzki is a franchise icon and regular courtside presence, and Chandler has mentored the Mavericks’ big men post-retirement.
But the omission of Doncic stands out. Given his recent impact, international profile, and the fact that he helped elevate Dallas into contention, his absence from Marshall’s list raised eyebrows. For some, all that was missing from Luka’s resume in Dallas was a championship ring.
Marshall, though, isn’t just any player—he knows the NBA franchise well. On Sunday night, he dropped 23 points in the SwinCity League, building off a solid 2024–25 campaign with Dallas.
In his first season with the Mavericks, the 27-year-old averaged 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field. He appeared in 69 games, starting 31, and proved himself as a reliable contributor on both ends of the floor.
Looking ahead, Marshall figures to be a key part of Dallas’ rotation. While the spotlight will shine brightest on stars like Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson, and No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg draws national attention, the Mavericks know that players like Marshall are vital to their success.