Olivier-Maxence Prosper’s second season in the NBA wasn’t a disaster—but it certainly didn’t do him any favors. After the Dallas Mavericks’ season unraveled thanks to Luka Doncic’s trade and Kyrie Irving’s injury, there was an opening for younger players to step up. Prosper, however, didn’t make the most of that opportunity. By the time the team began leaning on its bench more heavily, Prosper had already been sidelined for the year due to a wrist injury.
Season Recap
Prosper’s numbers were modest: 3.9 points per game on just 3.3 shot attempts in limited playing time (11.2 minutes over 52 games). His three-point shooting was especially poor, hitting just 23% on one attempt per game. That lack of offensive threat on the perimeter hurts his case for more minutes.
Another path to playing time—through hustle plays like defense, rebounding, and ball movement also didn’t yield strong results. He averaged just 2.4 rebounds and under an assist per game. While he had some promising defensive moments, they were inconsistent and never sustained.
To be clear, Prosper didn’t look completely out of place. But he’s not yet showing that he can be a meaningful piece for a playoff-caliber team, which is what the Mavericks aspire to be. He’s got the physical tools, but he needs to improve both his shooting and his defensive presence.
Highlight Performance
Prosper’s best showing came on January 27 against the Wizards, where he scored a season-high 20 points with five rebounds and an assist in a dominant 130–108 win.
Contract Outlook
Prosper is halfway through a four-year, $14 million rookie deal. The next two seasons are team options, and the third-year option is a reasonable $3 million. Given their need for affordable depth, the Mavericks will likely pick it up.
What’s Next?
Prosper will turn 23 at the start of next season and enter the third year of his contract. While that’s not old, time is ticking for him to carve out a real role. Dallas hasn’t shown much appetite for long rebuilds, and with the No. 1 overall pick coming this summer, expectations will rise. For his own future and the team’s needs, Prosper will have to start proving he belongs—or risk being pushed out of the Mavericks’ long-term plans.
