New Orleans Pelicans: Naji Marshall could be an undrafted gem

Naji Marshall could be a steal for the New Orleans Pelicans after going undrafted.

Every year there are players who get overlooked in the NBA draft who end up being impact players. The New Orleans Pelicans hope Naji Marshall is one of them.

Most recently, the Miami Heat were able to find Duncan Robinson and Kendrik Nunn on the undrafted scrap heap and both were solid contributors on a team that just made the NBA Finals.

Fred VanVleet was undrafted and just signed a huge contract with the Raptors, so it is possible to find talent outside of two rounds of the NBA Draft.

This is especially true in 2020, when teams didn’t have as much time to scout players, nor the advantage of seeing them play in the postseason.

The Pelicans are hoping that they have found the next great undrafted player in Naji Marshall, a wing out of Xavier who they have signed to a two-way deal heading into training camp.

Most two-way players are longshots to make the rotation, but due to a lack of wings on the roster, Marshall might actually stand a chance of being in the bench rotation, especially if he can impress with his defense.

Here are his strengths and weaknesses, as well as how he might fit on the Pelicans.

New Orleans Pelicans: Signing Naji Marshall to a two-way contract could pay off.

Naji Marshall’s Strengths

Marshall is a 6-foot-7 wing who many thought could go in the first round of the NBA Draft. The knock against him is that at age 22, he is an older prospect who played three seasons at Xavier.

Marshall already has some skills that should translate to the next level. He is a skilled passer who averaged four assists per game in college and is smart with the basketball.

He’s adept at getting to the rim and can finish with either hand, showing nice touch around the hoop.

But his calling card is his defense. Marshall gets after it on that end, can defend positions 1-3 with active hands and quick feet. He averaged 1.3 steals per game while leading the Xavier defense with plays like this:

Marshall is the type of guy who will take on the challenge of defending the other team’s best player and he plays with energy and intensity.

He’s also a very good weak side shot blocker and can be disruptive closing out on shooters or rotating to help.

Marshall is one of those guys who can do a little bit of everything and doesn’t need the ball to be effective.

He can finish at the hoop with either hand and shot 72.5 percent from the free-throw line, which will hopefully translate to a better jump shot.

Speaking of shooting…