Mavericks are backed into a brutal looming trade — and there's no way out

Even though the brunt of the Dallas Mavericks' offseason is already completed, as they drafted Cooper Flagg, signed D'Angelo Russell, and inked Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly to two-way deals after the 2025 NBA Draft concluded, their summer isn't over just yet.

A trade from Nico Harrison is inevitable at this point, and it seems like it will come in the form of Olivier-Maxence Prosper or even Jaden Hardy.

The Mavs need one more roster spot, as they have agreed to terms with Dante Exum, but the deal hasn't been made official yet. As things stand now, Dallas has 16 players signed to standard contracts (including Exum), and they'll have to cut someone or trade someone to create an additional roster spot to make room for Exum.

Mavericks have to make a trade soon whether they like it or not

Dallas bringing back Exum has been viewed as controversial by some Mavs fans over the last few weeks, as his injury history is undeniable, but they had to sign someone else to help hold them over until Kyrie Irving returns from his ACL tear. Even with Russell joining the mix, they needed another guard who can play on or off the ball and run the offense when needed, and Exum has already proven that he can do that for the Mavs.

In 75 games over the past two seasons, Exum averaged 8.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and an incredible 47.2 percent from downtown. His improved 3-point shooting has helped him turn his entire career around, and his emphasis on attacking the rim can't go overlooked either.

Exum has a steady hand when running the show, and a trade is coming at some point. But the question is who.

Prosper has already been floated around in trade rumors ever since the murmurs of an Exum return to Dallas emerged, as he seems like the most likely player who could get moved this offseason. A Prosper trade would make sense for both sides, as he still has plenty of untapped potential that he needs minutes to achieve, but the Mavericks can't offer him much playing time.

Their roster is already loaded, and unless their frontcourt is hit with some injuries, Prosper may be forced into a minimal role that wouldn't benefit his development much as he enters his third season in the association.

On the other hand, Harrison could consider moving Hardy, as his three-year, $18 million extension begins this season. Hardy is in an interesting spot, as his scorching-hot 3-point shooting and play off the ball have been intriguing in each of his first three seasons, but it doesn't seem like he has what it takes to be a primary initiator in today's NBA.

Hardy has gone through multiple spurts where he has earned Jason Kidd's trust to be a primary ball handler, including in the 2024 Western Conference Finals, where he was a major X-factor for Dallas in multiple victories against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but his finishing and ability to make complex reads are still works in progress. Kidd's trust seems to fluctuate with Hardy, and even though he may have a role to begin the season while Irving is out, it may not last long.

If Dallas still has high belief in Prosper, they could look to move Hardy instead, and at the end of the day, risks will come along with whoever they decide to trade. Harrison and company are not in an easy position, as they'd likely love to keep both Hardy and Prosper heading into next season, but that doesn't seem like a possibility given their roster situation.

At least one trade will happen before the regular season begins, and Mavericks fans can expect that it may end up being Hardy or Prosper heading elsewhere. Both players seem like they are having strong offseasons, as Hardy recently went viral for his play in a pro run and Prosper is trending in the right direction with his wrist injury that he suffered at the end of last season, according to league sources familiar with his recovery in recent weeks. Dallas is going to be in a tough spot regardless when they are forced to part with one of these players, and the team will be losing a fan-favorite player either way.