Dallas is reshaping its roster by waiving forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper through the stretch provision, creating an open spot that could be used to re-sign veteran guard Dante Exum.
How the stretch works and what it means
– The stretch provision lets a team release a player and spread the remaining contract value over more years for cap relief. In Prosper’s case, his 2025-26 salary of $3,007,080 will be stretched to about $1,002,360 per year for three years.
– The move gives Dallas immediate cap flexibility and a chance to pursue Exum without keeping Prosper on the books for the full remaining term of his deal.
– Dallas had been looking to move Prosper via a trade this offseason, but doing so would likely have required attaching draft compensation. The Mavericks also had limited tradable assets, owning two future second-round picks (2030 and 2032).
Prosper’s profile and the impact
– Prosper was selected 24th overall by Dallas in the 2023 NBA draft. He appeared in 52 games last season, averaging 3.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, and has played 92 games across two seasons with the club (career averages around 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds).
– The 2024-25 season was interrupted by wrist surgery for Prosper, with the procedure occurring on March 12. He is now set to become an unrestricted free agent ahead of the 2025-26 season.
– The waiver-and-stretch option removes Prosper from the active roster while reducing the team’s immediate salary cap hit, potentially allowing Dallas to re-sign Exum or pursue other veteran guards.
Summary
– The Mavericks have cleared a roster spot and created cap relief by stretching Prosper’s contract after waiving him. This move preserves flexibility for re-signing Dante Exum and adds a pathway for Prosper to seek opportunities as a free agent in 2025-26.
Additional context and value
– This type of move signals a focus on cap management and roster flexibility rather than tying future cap space to a developing but injury-affected young player.
– If Exum returns, he could provide veteran guard depth behind star players, contributing leadership and backup playmaking as Dallas navigates a competitive Western Conference.
– For Prosper, the stretch opens doors to explore opportunities with other teams, potentially in a role that suits his development as he recovers fully from wrist surgery and competes for regular playing time elsewhere.
Positive takeaway
– The Mavericks are prioritizing financial flexibility and clear strategic paths for both their veteran core and emerging players, which could help them stay cap-ready for meaningful signings or trades during the upcoming season.
Note: If you’d like, I can tailor this rewrite to fit a short form for a quick-read section or expand with more tactical analysis of how the move could affect Dallas’s rotation and depth chart.