The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly utilizing the option to waive and stretch Olivier Maxence-Prosper, their selection from the first round of the 2023 draft, according to reports from Shams Charania of ESPN. This decision would render the 22-year-old forward a free agent for the upcoming season. While ‘O-Max’ may not be a household name, his status as a former first-round pick naturally prompts questions as to why the Mavericks are parting ways with him just two years after his acquisition in the 2023 draft.
Let’s delve into the rationale behind the Mavericks’ decision and its implications for the team moving forward.
What prompted the Mavericks to waive Maxence-Prosper?
The primary factor at play here is the situation surrounding Kyrie Irving for the next season. With the All-Star guard expected to miss a significant portion of the season due to an ACL injury, the Mavericks will require reinforcements in the backcourt until his return. During the offseason, they secured D’Angelo Russell as their key free agency acquisition, and he is poised to assume the starting point guard role in Irving’s absence.
However, a closer examination of Dallas’ bench reveals a lack of a reliable backup guard to handle those minutes with the second unit. There’s Jaden Hardy, who has struggled to secure consistent playing time in Jason Kidd’s lineups over the past few years, and whose natural position is more of a shooting guard than someone who can effectively manage the offense. Beyond that, there’s Brandon Williams, who demonstrated potential in limited spurts last season, notably with a 17-point, five-assist performance in the Mavericks’ play-in victory against the Kings. While Williams showed promise in short bursts, he has been a two-way player in each of the past two seasons. Therefore, relying heavily on him from the outset may be a significant gamble for a Mavericks team with considerable expectations.
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This is where Dante Exum enters the equation. The 2014 lottery selection has spent the previous two seasons with the Mavericks and has become a valuable contributor off the bench in the reserve point guard role. He is a more seasoned player who brings size and defensive capabilities to a backcourt that is in desperate need of both, and he can effectively run the offense while also contributing a few baskets each game. Waiving O-Max creates a roster spot for Dallas to potentially re-sign Exum, a move that has been widely speculated since the start of free agency earlier this summer. It was reported that the Mavs were exploring potential trade scenarios to move O-Max or Hardy first; however, with the deadline for using the waive and stretch provision set for 5 p.m. ET on Aug. 29, Dallas had no alternative option.
The decision to waive Maxence-Prosper over Hardy stemmed from the Mavericks’ current circumstances. Had the Mavericks possessed more depth in the backcourt, they likely would have opted to retain O-Max and waive Hardy, primarily due to Maxence-Prosper’s size, which makes him the more versatile player, especially on the defensive end. Standing at 6-foot-8, he is capable of playing both forward positions, and while his offensive skill set is limited, with increased opportunities, he undoubtedly would have developed that aspect of his game. Hardy is a defensive liability, but he is capable of scoring in bursts when he finds his rhythm.
The Mavericks suddenly have considerable depth in the forward positions, especially with this year’s No. 1 overall draft selection, Cooper Flagg, added to a rotation that already included P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin. O-Max becomes the odd man out, and the decision is understandable.
How does this affect Dallas financially?
By waiving and stretching the remaining $3 million owed to O-Max, Dallas will be allocating approximately $1 million annually to him over the next three years. This action brings Dallas roughly $3.6 million below the second tax apron, a figure that was previously $1.6 million. As a result, the Mavericks now have enough financial flexibility to sign Exum without surpassing the second apron and incurring the associated penalties.
While it may appear insignificant, Exum’s salary of $3 million last season with the Mavericks necessitates the additional financial maneuvering to prevent Dallas from requiring him to take a pay reduction to remain with the team. Had the Mavericks chosen to waive Hardy instead, they would have gained greater immediate cap relief, as he is guaranteed $12 million over the next two years, with a team option for the third year. However, Dallas would have been spreading that cost over five years instead of three, and the overall financial commitment would have been approximately $1.5 million higher than what they will be paying Maxence-Prosper.
It is not an ideal situation to compromise the team’s financial future, especially at a time when almost every team in the league is seeking any possible means of cap relief to avoid the second tax apron. Although this could pose challenges for Dallas in the coming years, it was a necessary decision to ensure that they have reliable depth in the backcourt for the upcoming season.
