The Mavericks have intensified their efforts to open up room below a second-apron hard cap to sign free agent guard Dante Exum, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, who reports (via Twitter) that those efforts have centered around finding a new home via trade for forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
Dallas reached an agreement to re-sign Exum to a one-year deal way back in July 2, but the transaction still hasn’t been officially finalized. That’s because the Mavericks’ team salary for apron purposes currently sits at approximately $206.2MM, which is about $1.6MM below the second tax apron ($207,824,000).
The Mavs hard-capped themselves at the second apron by using the taxpayer mid-level exception to sign D’Angelo Russell last month. That means their team salary can’t surpass $207,824,000 at any point for the rest of the 2025/26 league year. A minimum-salary deal for Exum would carry a $2,296,274 cap hit.
With training camps still over a month from getting underway, there has been little urgency for the Mavs to resolve the apron crunch to this point. However, it sounds as if they’re ramping up their attempts to find a solution, and trading Prosper has long been considered a path they’ll explore.
The 24th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Prosper has played a very limited role during his first two years in Dallas, averaging 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game across 92 regular season outings, with a .396/.260/.658 shooting line. Given that he’s buried on the depth chart and isn’t owed any guaranteed money beyond his $3MM salary for 2025/26 (his deal includes a $5.3MM rookie scale team option for ’26/27), the 23-year-old is the team’s most obvious trade candidate to make room for Exum.
Dallas has the ability to send out up to nearly $8MM in cash in a trade, which would more than cover Prosper’s 2025/26 salary, but potential trade partners will likely be seeking a second-round draft pick in order to take on that $3MM cap hit. The most recent trade completed this summer, for example, saw the Heat send a future second-rounder to the Nets along with Haywood Highsmith and his $5.6MM expiring salary in order to get below the tax.
The Mavs only have two tradable second-round picks: Philadelphia’s 2030 selection and their own 2032 second-rounder. If they don’t want to give up any draft equity and can’t find a trade partner willing to accept cash, waiving and stretching Prosper’s $3MM salary would be an option, though it would have to be done by this Friday to ensure he clears waivers on August 31. That would spread his cap hit across three seasons at approximately $1MM per year, opening up an extra $2MM in room below the 2025/26 second apron.
The Mavs are currently carrying 15 players on guaranteed or partially guaranteed contracts for ’25/26, so moving off Prosper (or another player) is also necessary to open up a spot for Exum on their projected 15-man regular season roster.
Trade martin or hardy instead…..
They have multi-year deals. Prosper doesn’t.
Hardy: 12M (2 years)
Martin: 29M (3 years)
Prosper: 3M
You tryna trade a 2nd or a 1st?
probably going to cost them a 2nd round pick to a team that is below the cap. There is no reason for a team to trade for a player that need playing time in the G league.
arc89, yeah, no better than a 2nd round pick. He may benefit from some time in the G-League to get his offensive game going, but he’s been a consistently excellent defender in his 1st two seasons. Highly switchable
Offensively, because of Dallas’ injuries to their centers, he played so many minutes last year out of position (he’s not a 5). He shot the ball well enough in college and summer league to make NBA people assume this part of his game will come around when given the chance.
I’d bet a bunch of GM’s have likely been watching the Prosper situation in Dallas with Cooper Flagg joining and PJ Washington being extended. If Prosper is benched for his 3rd year, he’ll lose all trade value. Getting him cheap may turn out to be a steal…
Prosper is a dog with high-end athleticism, strength, and length. Few 6’8”, 230lb guys can move their feet as well as Prosper. I could see him flourishing in Miami, in NYK under Mike Brown, Golden State…but he needs a defined role.
Yes I’m sure there are teams chomping at the bit to offer him a
*checks notes*
Two-Way contract
He’s a 23-year-old PF with a career 49 TS%. He makes Ben Simmons (who fits all your above criteria) look like a dynamo.
Obviously you don’t know Prosper’s circumstances in Dallas and haven’t seen him play. Comparing him to Ben Simmons says it all.
I scout all players for the content I make.
At Rim: 39-60 FG (65%)
Outside of 3 feet: 27-105 FG (25%)
That’s pretty Simmons-esque.
Simmons has comparable defensive strengths and he’s a significantly better passer. And he’s a free agent for a reason. Precious Achiuwa is another better comparable player sitting on the sideline.
Pretending you watch OMP with any regularity is just as laughable as suggesting he would be in demand as a free agent. He’s on the wrong side of the Mendoza line.
You missed the part about the guy’s defense. The NBA is not a video game
Would be a great fit in BKLYN.
Is there anyone under the age of 25 who wouldn’t be a great fit in Brooklyn?
True. Brooklyn and Washington are the unofficial G-League teams this year. Hornets and Trail Blazers are in that group as well.
Agree, BKLN would be a good fit. They’re going to need athletic defenders.