Mavericks' forgotten draft pick could replace rising wing if trade whispers turn real

After finishing 2-3 at Summer League and getting to see Cooper Flagg tear up the Las Vegas scene for two games, the Dallas Mavericks' 2025 Summer League went completely according to plan, as Flagg showcased some of the potential that made him the No. 1 pick and didn't get hurt in exhibition contests. Dallas quickly rested Flagg for the remainder of Summer League after two games, and shut down fellow rookie Ryan Nembhard after three contests too, as Dallas was likely focused on seeing if any of the remaining talent on the roster would be suitable for their last two-way spot or a training camp invite.

After a slow start to Summer League, Maxwell Lewis dominated in Dallas' last two games, as he, along with a few other candidates, will be the most likely to fill Dallas' last two-way spot or get an Exhibit-10 deal (training camp invite). While Lewis has a great shot at capturing this spot, former 2024 second-round pick Melvin Ajinca is a viable candidate to fill this spot as well after being draft-and-stashed last season and playing for LDLC Asvel in the EuroLeague.

Ajinca missed the entirety of Dallas' Summer League due to a groin injury, though he did travel with the team and got some work in with them and Summer League coach Josh Broghamer, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him enter Dallas' training camp. If Ajinca comes to Dallas' training camp, he'd be the perfect player to replace Olivier-Maxence Prosper if he's traded, as there have been heavy rumors someone like Prosper will have to be traded before the start of the season because of the Mavericks currently having 16 players on standard contracts following the Dante Exum signing.

Melvin Ajinca could fill Olivier-Maxence Prosper's role if he's traded

Ajinca became more efficient as a shooter for LDLC Asvel last season, as he is already a decent defender and cutter with his length and footspeed. Ajinca has a much more fluid offensive game compared to Prosper, and while Prosper may have a slightly higher ceiling defensively because of his strength and athleticism, Ajinca can still be solid on that end while not detracting nearly as much on the offensive end as Prosper does when he's indecisive with the ball sometimes.

Ajinca not playing at Summer League certainly hurt his stock a little bit, but if Dallas has serious plans of trying to bring him over for training camp, it may have been the smarter play to hold him out of Summer League, especially since the severity of his injury is unknown. Prosper was in attendance with fellow Dallas players for Flagg's debut in Vegas, and given the Mavericks have the flexibility to bring both Ajinca and Prosper into training camp before deciding which course of action they might take, expect the two 6-foot-7 wings to be pining for minutes against each other all throughout training camp and preseason.

Ajinca could arguably fill Prosper's role far better than Prosper, even if the Mavericks couldn't make room for Ajinca on their 15-man roster, and opted to hand him their last two-way. Despite how injury-riddled Dallas was last year, Prosper played just a hair over 50 games at 52 last season, and Ajinca would be able to play up to 50 games on a two-way deal.

Obviously, neither Ajinca nor Prosper projects to play a prominent role next season for the Mavericks. However, Ajinca is slightly younger and may have slightly more long-term potential than Prosper, so it will be interesting to see if he can find his way onto Dallas' roster next season instead of Prosper, as Ajinca would likely go back to France if he's unable to earn a roster spot for Dallas this season.