I have a similar setup. I have an old laptop with an SSD that puts files on my NAS.
The laptop has arr setup on containers, the laptop itself is running debian, mounts from Samba NAS via fstab (be sure to have writing permissions) has been working that way for several years.
Only direct plays, no transcoding (core 2 procesor)
Also most routers with an USB can also handle a printer
Wait! The coin is called “Hawk” ? And they didn’t spect a “Tuah”? That’s hilariously funny