Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a fast 8-4 start in 2025-26 despite LeBron James' continued injury absence.
Even though their 21-time All-Star has yet to suit up this season, Los Angeles' 26-year-old phenom and likely first-time All-Star Austin Reaves (28.3 points, 8.3 assists) have set the storied franchise up for success upon James' return.
Still, there's no question that the Lakers could look to land a few more reinforcements through the trade market to further boost Dončić and James' chances of capturing a title. In fact, FanSided's Svyatoslav Rovenchuk believes that Los Angeles' general manager Rob Pelinka should negotiate a deal with the Dallas Mavericks to acquire one of Dončić's impactful former teammates, Naji Marshall.
"One lesser name that could be of great interest for a team like the Lakers is Naji Marshall," Rovenchuk wrote Thursday.
"Marshall was brought in to be a role player around Doncic in Dallas, and barely got that opportunity. Rob Pelinka could give him the chance to play with Luka properly, in Los Angeles."
"Buying in on Marshall should not cost a great deal for the Lakers. The Mavericks forward is making $9.0 million in the 2025-26 campaign, making him an easy salary match for Pelinka in any potential trade negotiations."
At 27 years old, Dallas' versatile forward Marshall has developed into a perfect complementary piece for Dončić.
By prospectively contacting the lowly 3-9 Mavericks' front office in the aftermath of former general manager Nico Harrison's dismissal, Pelinka could convince the franchise that it's time to initiate a full-scale rebuild, an endeavor that would preferably start with Dončić's reunion with Marshall via trade.
Pelinka could be tempted to look further into a Marshall deal in the immediate future, especially after a recent four-game stretch when the gritty two-way forward averaged a stellar 16.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals while connecting on 56.1% of his attempts from the field for Dallas.
If Marshall and Dončić are able to join forces once again on the Lakers, the former could have a massive impact on winning for a team in dire need of three-and-D production from their reserve wings.
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