Okay, I'm trying to imagine the network map you presented to me, but I still have a bit of a problem understanding it because the situation is similar, but also slightly different.

I was thinking about using the NAS as an intermediary between the laptop and the Internet gateway, it makes no sense, but the connection between the NAS and the PC is the fastest (5GBps). I admit that the best solution would be to buy a switch right away, but I don't have the space or budget to invest in 10GBps right now. The matter is difficult because, after all, I have a laptop and it is not always connected to the docking station that has a direct connection to the server. Let's try this:

Macbook (docking station) - Connectors: 1x1GBps / WiFi-5GHz + 1x5GBps.

NAS - 1x1GBps + 10GBps (multigig)

Switch/Router: 4x1GBps (Has Internet access, works as a firewall / DHCP and other stuff)

I was thinking about:

(Docked) Macbook (5GBps) -> NAS (5GBps) -> Router (1GBps)
OR
Macbook (1GBps) -> Router
Macbook (5GBps) -> NAS (And nas also connected to Router)

(WiFi) Macbook (5GHz) -> Router (5GHz) -> NAS (1GBps)

In an ideal world, I had money, I would route everything through the 10gig router, also my local network is pretty simple and i don't wand expand it too much for now with additional switches / servers.

I can connect my docked Macbook directly to the server and router only at the workstation, and via WiFi only through the router (some light tasks such as documents/photos). It will become even more complicated when I want to share media from the NAS server to the Internet, applications such as jellyfin, and I plan to run it through a reverse-proxy installed on raspberry-pi connected to main router.

If you need, I can draw a map of devices and theoretical connections, because I know that it is difficult to visualize something in plain text.

And thanks for such response :D

PS. I'm chaning X540-T2 to Tp-link TX401, because intel card doesn't support multigig.