Mavericks' baffling move may have cost this youngster a fast track to real minutes

With the Dallas Mavericks only having two games remaining in Summer League, fans got exactly what they expected from No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, as Flagg showcased his creation ability, effort level, and electric athleticism in two games in Las Vegas before being shut down by Dallas' staff. Die-hard Mavericks fans will still want to see how two-way contract standouts Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly fare in the remaining two contests, though, as both players look like prospective NBA rotation players at some point in their career if they can continue to develop.

Another player who could've fit this mold is none other than third-year wing Olivier-Maxence Prosper, as the 23-year-old and 2023 first-round pick should've been playing and developing in Summer League by all accounts, but was never listed on Dallas' Summer League roster in the first place. Similar to Flagg, Prosper plays with relentless energy and pursuit, but his overzealousness on defense and his indecisiveness on offense have challenged his development as a player through two seasons, and he certainly hasn't proved enough in his short NBA career to warrant not having to suit up in Vegas.

Prosper improved the mechanics of his jump-shot marginally last year, which helped his spot-up shooting out a little bit, but he's only shown flashes of being the dynamic two-way wing Dallas hoped they were getting when they drafted him, especially after Prosper had a solid showing in his first go-around in Vegas during the summer of 2023.

Mavericks missed window of development by not playing Prosper in SL

There have been reports that Dallas may be looking to trade Prosper or someone else to help free up a roster spot before the start of the regular season, as Dallas is currently rostering 16 players after re-signing Dante Exum. However, Prosper could be seen on the sidelines with the Dallas contingent and some fellow players during Flagg's debut in Vegas, so it's tough to say exactly what his standing with the organization is right now.

It should be noted that Prosper last played for Dallas on March 5 versus the Milwaukee Bucks, as he had season-ending right wrist surgery shortly after that game. With Prosper currently spanning over four months since he last played any sort of regulation game, it's questionable why Dallas didn't play him at Summer League to try and ramp him back up ahead of training camp and late-September, unless his wrist injury was so severe that Dallas wanted to take extra precaution by holding him out of Summer League.

Prosper has shown flashed of his electric athleticism in transition and even in the half-court since he's been in Dallas, and he's easily the second best athlete from the wing position on the roster besides Flagg, but he has to use those tools better defensively and become a better shooter on the other end if he wants to see consistent minutes next season.

Dallas doesn't have a smorgasbord of first-round picks in the coming years once they work to re-tool their roster more around Flagg after this current core dies out, and Prosper is one of the few young players they have that could still be an impactful role player once Flagg enters his prime. If Prosper can be more decisive attacking off closeouts, become a better shooter and finisher, and hone in on defensive skills to the fullest, he could still become a very intriguing NBA player, but the clock is ticking after an up-and-down first two seasons in the league.

If Prosper was indeed healthy and the Mavericks plan on taking him into next season, it will be puzzling why the organization never asked him to suit up in Vegas, as he could've got some great run playing next to future teammates and could've gotten to hone in on his shot creation ability in a setting with far less pressure and expectations. Fans and analysts will be keeping their eyes pealed to see if one of Prosper or Jaden Hardy is traded in a salary dump before the start of next season, but Prosper has to show some imrprovement next season if he wants to secure his spot in Dallas beyond his rookie contract, and playing him in Vegas would've been a great step in that direction.