Dallas Mavericks fan-favorite forward must step it up before it's too late

The Dallas Mavericks begin their Summer League action tonight. The team will face off against the Utah Jazz, as they look to start off the summer with a bang.

The summer league will allow some players to showcase their top skills and possibly earn a spot in the Mavs' rotation. Some names to watch include A.J. Lawson, Brandon Williams, Melvin Ajinca, and Alex Fudge. These four players could earn a spot on Dallas' regular season roster.

Dallas also added two players who could earn valuable time with the team. For example, this week the Mavericks re-signed Brandon Williams. The G League standout played a pivotal role for the Texas Legends last season. Williams averaged 24.1 points per game with the Legends and was signed to a two-way contract midway through the year.

Jazian Gortman is another player who looks to follow in Williams' footsteps. The team officially signed Gortman on Thursday. Gortman too could earn himself a two-way contract if he does what is needed.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper needs to have a big Summer League

The biggest name of the Mavs' summer roster though is Olivier Maxence-Prosper. The team's second-year player will have plenty to prove this season.

Last season, the former rookie averaged three points per game and two rebounds. Prosper set the bar high in April averaging 7.6 points per game in just under 14 minutes as he played big minutes when Dallas was resting their role players at the end of the season. He had his best game during the team's second to last game, when he scored 16 points and shot 50 percent from the field. Prosper also recorded six rebounds and two in the game.

Prosper will now look to continue success into the Summer League. This is a challenge the Mavs' 2023-24 rookie is unafraid of. He hopes to continue working on his game and getting better each day.

"Just getting an opportunity to play [and] be there out there with my teammates, and be in a position where I'm in different situations, play different positions, and just go my game "

- Olivier-Maxence Prosper

The biggest thing Prosper must do though is respond to Coach Jared Dudley's challenge. The G-League coach wants the Mavs' wing to defend the opposing team's best player, as he believes this will earn him valuable minutes in the team's rotation next season.

In simple terms, Prosper must do all the right things for Dallas. For example, he could be the leader and star of the Mavs' summer league team and showcase he can respond whenever his name is called.

This is why this upcoming season is critical for the second-year forward. If Prosper can earn a spot in the team's rotation through his summer play, it would set up a bright future for him and the Mavs.

He is a developing shooter who continues to work on his long-range shot. Defensively, he has a 7-foot-1 wingspan as he can make things difficult for opposing players. The thing he must do is show progress. The Mavericks have seen past rookies such as Shane Larkin, Dominique Jones, and Jared Cunningham struggle to take that next leap. Those players were later shipped out due to their ability to advance their game.

Prosper understands the task ahead of him, he must complete the assignment. Otherwise, he could end up like past Mavs players who failed to earn a long-term spot on the team.

Its simple, this season is a make-or-break year for the Mavs' past rookie. He still as plenty of time to develop, but Summer League will be te perfect time for him to show off his development.

Stay tuned for all the latest on Olivier-Maxence Prosper and the Mavericks' Summer League action.