Mavericks finally admit major draft mistake as they eye stunning trade

The 2023 NBA Draft will go down as one of the most memorable draft nights for Dallas Mavericks fans in recent history as the team landed Dereck Lively II with the 12th overall pick, who would ultimately prove to be a difference-maker in their run to the NBA Finals that season. In addition to Lively II, the Mavericks would get involved in a draft night trade with the Sacramento Kings, where they would land Richaun Holmes and the 24th overall pick in that same draft.

With the 24th overall pick, the Mavericks selected Olivier-Maxence Prosper out of Marquette University, who would end up making a name for himself through the pre-draft process. While Prosper was viewed as one of the steals of the draft at the time, in retrospect, the Mavs may have made a grave mistake that still haunts them to this day.

Prosper hasn't only not panned out in his two seasons with the Mavericks, but as the team continues to search for a trade that will create much-needed roster space to officially re-sign Dante Exum, Prosper's name continues to be brought up in trade talks.

Prosper being in trade talks proves Mavs made a big draft night mistake

In two seasons with the Mavericks, Prosper has flashed the ability to be a forward who can carve out a role if given the minutes and role; however, with Dallas' current logjam at the forward spot, Prosper will once again look at another season on the bench. While a lot of fans have fallen in love with Prosper and the hope that he can impact Dallas' rotation, the reality is, Prosper will never be given the opportunity to flourish as an NBA player as a Maverick.

Now, as the Mavericks look forward into their future, the team must create at least one open roster spot so they can re-sign Exum and fill a much-needed hole on Dallas' roster. Unfortunately for Prosper, this likely means he will be included in active trade talks to send him to a possible team that will give him a chance at proving his worth in the league.

Looking back at the 2023 draft, the Mavericks were essentially gifted the 24th overall pick, but they clearly missed on what could have been a home run steal. Just two picks after selecting Prosper, the Indiana Pacers selected Ben Sheppard, who was just recently a pivotal piece in their run to the NBA Finals with the 26th pick.

While it's easy to say Prosper hasn't panned out as the prospect Mavericks fans were hoping he could be, the reality is, he has failed to meet expectations or look like a player who could fill a rotational need on a consistent basis.

It may be easy to say the Mavericks need to get rid of Prosper to create roster availability, but finding a suitor for a declining player on a rookie contract may be harder than fans realize. Not only is Prosper on an extremely low contract in NBA terms, but Dallas would likely need to attach draft capital in a trade to get Prosper off their books.

While it's hard for Nico Harrison and the Mavericks front office to come out and say they made a mistake by drafting Prosper, the act of looking for a trade and including Prosper's name just over two years after drafting him alone is enough to prove to fans he may not be the player they thought he was.