The tide shifted dramatically for the Dallas Mavericks just a little over a week ago, as a season riddled with injuries and the misfortune of the Luka Doncic trade was seemingly put on the back-burner after it was announced the Mavericks improbably won the NBA Draft Lottery and the right to select consensus first overall pick Cooper Flagg.

This isn't to say Nico Harrison and Dallas' upper brass are excused for the disaster the Doncic trade spiraled into, as it's still easily one of the worst trades in all of sports history. However, the basketball gods work in mysterious ways and have given a Mavericks team with limited future draft capital a crack at redemption, though there isn't a fan base more deserving of this after what Mavericks fans have suffered through since February 1.

The most deserving party in the Flagg sweepstakes is none other than the players already on Dallas' roster next season, though. Especially the ones who fought valiantly to thrust this team to a second play-in game despite Kyrie Irving tearing his ACL on March 3 and the Mavericks playing seven and eight-man rotations late into the season due to injury.

It takes a certain type of hard-nosed mentality to help keep a team afloat in the NBA amidst what the Mavericks were going through late in the season, and while Dallas' season was far from ideal, Naji Marshall epitomized Dallas' toughness late in the season with his ability to play heavy minutes at multiple positions. Arguably, no Maverick is more deserving than getting a chance to play on a real playoff roster next season than Marshall, and he knows this is a legitimate possibility with the Mavericks now being able to draft Flagg, something he is clearly excited about.

"I love his game honestly," Marshall said in regard to Flagg on The Young Man and the Three podcast. "I love how he hoop, I love the dog he has. You know I'm a dog, so that's really what I'm looking for, and he's a dog too...I'm excited to see him grow, become a star in the league."

Marshall is exactly right in his analysis of his future teammate, as Flagg is a rare type of player for an 18-year-old. Flagg hasn't backed down from the moment, regardless of the stage or competition throughout his young career, and he possesses tantalizing two-way potential. Flagg was poised in late-game situations for the Duke Blue Devils in last season's NCAA Tournament, and he did more than hold his own against NBA superstars at Team USA practice last summer.

It's great to see the hype surrounding Flagg not only from fans and media, but from his future teammates as well. Everyone is excited for this new era in Dallas, and Marshall and others on the Mavericks have to be excited at the notion of the franchise changing from a laughingstock to re-cementing themselves amongst the league's contenders if they can add more guard depth this summer.

Flagg undoubtedly has the "dog" in him that Marshall is referencing, which is an attribute that is seldom seen across young players entering the league, especially ones with as much pressure and expectations that Flagg will be facing as one of the more highly touted No. 1 picks in league history. However, Flagg is entering as tailor-made of a situation possible as far as being able to fit in on a playoff team with veteran superstars, and him and his camp seem to be extremely intrigued at the possibility of joining the Mavericks, as it will be less pressure for him and No. 1 picks typically don't get an opportunity like this.