According to NBA Insider reporters Marc Stein and Jack Fisher, the Dallas Mavericks are exploring a trade for Olivier-Maxence Prosper. This move is intended to free up space for Dante Exum's contract extension, which the two sides agreed to two months ago.

"The push for Exum's contract extension is focused on finding a new team for Olivier-Maxence Prosper via a trade," Stein stated explicitly in the report.

The 23-year-old Prosper, who is 2.1 meters tall and weighs 230 pounds, plays as a swingman. He was the 24th overall pick in the 2023 first round but was immediately traded by the Sacramento Kings to the Dallas Mavericks.

Prosper has appeared in 92 regular season games for the Mavericks, averaging 3.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game while shooting 39.6% from the field and 26.0% from three-point range. He has also appeared in three playoff games for the Mavericks, averaging just 1.0 rebound and 0.3 assists in 3.0 minutes per game.

For the Mavericks, Prosper isn't a key player in their future plans. The Mavericks believe his potential hasn't yet fully materialized, and with a well-rounded frontcourt, his playing time is unlikely to be guaranteed.

In contrast, the Mavericks prefer to prioritize keeping Dante Exum. With Kyrie Irving out for a long time due to injury, the Mavericks are in urgent need of a reliable point guard to share the organizational tasks so that this year's No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg can have more room to grow.

Exum, 30, has played for the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers and other teams, and joined the Mavericks in July 2023. To date, he has played in 75 regular season games for the Mavericks, averaging 8.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 51.7% and a three-point shooting percentage of 47.2%.

In the playoffs, Exum played 21 times for the Mavericks, averaging 6.9 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 36.4% and a three-point shooting percentage of 35.0%.