Spurs' perfect wing trade target is possible but costly thanks to hated rival

The NBA trade deadline is only two weeks away, and the San Antonio Spurs should be on the phones ready to make a deal. Over the last month-plus, San Antonio has struggled with consistency, largely due to their shaky shooting in the absence of Devin Vassell.

They have also had to deal with starting power forward Harrison Barnes suddenly regressing and going from being an elite shooter to being slightly above average. That dramatic decline increases the need for them to make a trade.

A trade to try and bring in more scoring ahead of the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, the two best trade targets available, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III, have recently been taken off the trade market by the New Orleans Pelicans.

However, the Spurs may look to another division rival to help them on the trade market. The Dallas Mavericks appear to be heading into fire sale territory with them unlikely to make the playoffs and also being expensive. They also have the perfect Spurs trade target on their roster, Naji Marshall.

Naji Marshall would be a terrific fit on the Spurs

Although Marshall doesn't check the box of being a good shooter, with him hitting just 30.3% of the threes this season, he still would be an intriguing addition. Marshall is averaging an impressive 14.2 points per game while shooting a blistering 54.1% on two-point attempts.

In some ways he is like a bigger Keldon Johnson who thrives scoring at the rim. That's not to mention that he has a potent floater that allows him to score efficiently in the midrange.

Defensively, he isn't a lockdown defender but is a physical one who can get under the skin of his opponents. Adding Marshall will give San Antonio another weapon on the perimeter who can help them play small without actually giving up size.

To be clear, he likely wouldn't start over with Harrison Barnes, given that he is only 6'6" and more of a small forward than a power forward. Instead, San Antonio could start Julian Champagnie at the four ahead of Barnes and have Marshall bolster the bench.

That would give them a deep, 10-man rotation consisting of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Champagnie, and Victor Wembanyama in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson, Marshall, Barnes, and Luke Kornet would make up the second unit.

How much would Naji Marshall cost the Spurs?

So what's the cost? The Mavericks likely wouldn't give Marshall up unless they get a decent haul for him. Especially with him making less than $10 million this season and next year.

San Antonio could offer to relinquish their rights to the 2030 pick swap they own from the Mavericks as well as a solid second-round pick and Kelly Olynyk. In exchange, the Mavs can save money by shipping out Marshall and D'Angelo Russell, whom the Spurs could buy out.

Considering that Dallas doesn't own any of their first-round picks between 2027 and 2031, that might be of interest to them.

As would adding a potentially high second-round pick courtesy of the Pelicans. Barring them getting a first-round pick offer from another contender, that might be the best they can do for Marshall.

Many Spurs fans might question whether the Mavericks would help the Spurs at the trade deadline. That's a fair question; however, those two teams have traded with one another as recently as a year and a half ago.

If there is a reasonable offer, then the Mavericks will likely be all ears. Particularly with San Antonio owning swap rights on a future Mavericks first-round pick.

If that's true, then San Antonio should absolutely target Marshall, considering that he'd help them on both ends of the floor.