After a turbulent season that included the shocking trade of Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks found a silver lining in the NBA Draft Lottery.
Against the odds, they jumped from the No. 11 slot to the top overall pick, setting the stage to select high school phenom Cooper Flagg. No one may be more excited about it than Naji Marshall.
“I love his game, honestly,” Marshall said on The Old Man and the Three. “Like, for real… He’s a winner. I love how he hoop.”
Marshall, known for his physicality and hustle, sees a kindred spirit in the projected No. 1 pick.
“The dog he has. I’m a dog, so that’s what I’m really looking for, and he’s a dog, too,” he said. “I’m excited, bro. I’m excited to see him grow – become a star in the league.”
Marshall recounted watching the lottery broadcast live and feeling overwhelmed with anticipation as team logos were revealed.
“I was just watching the screen like, ‘No way… no way…’ and then boom – we got the number one pick. I couldn’t believe it.”
With Flagg’s arrival and a young core in place, Marshall believes Dallas can quickly pivot from a disappointing season to a potential resurgence.
Mavericks' Naji Marshall Discusses Losing Luka Doncic, Landing Cooper Flagg https://t.co/ewLISG5jlS pic.twitter.com/hi6xcBF3tQ
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) May 18, 2025
