The Dallas Mavericks are making the final moves to solidify their roster, which will involve taking a controversial strategy.
The Dallas Mavericks have put together a strong roster this offseason. After the departure of Luka Doncic, the Mavericks have found a way to successfully pivot.
After the Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, they picked Cooper Flagg, adding another generational star to their roster.
Following that, the Mavericks re-signed Kyrie Irving for $119 million, securing the All-Star point guard’s future for the next three years.
And now, as the Mavericks attempt to re-sign Daniel Gafford for $90 million, they may be forced to make a tough decision.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesDallas Mavericks could possibly waive-and-stretch Olivier Maxence-Prosper
According to NBA insider Ary on X, the Dallas Mavericks are trying desperately to trade Olivier Maxence-Prosper to make cap space.
But if no such trade materializes, the Mavericks will waive-and-stretch Olivier Maxence-Prosper’s remaining $3 million salary.
“If no trade materializes for Olivier Maxence-Prosper by tomorrow, the Mavericks are expected to waive and stretch the forward, sources tell me. The deadline to waive and stretch contracts is tomorrow, 4:00 PM CT.”
This would be a similar strategy to the one that the Milwaukee Bucks used to waive Damian Lillard. While Maxence-Prosper does have a $5.2 million team option in 2026, the Mavericks aren’t obligated to pay that in this approach.
If no trade materializes for Olivier Maxence-Prosper by tomorrow, the Mavericks are expected to waive and stretch the forward, sources tell me. The deadline to waive and stretch contracts is tomorrow 4:00 PM CT.
— Ary (@Ary_Report) August 28, 2025
View Tweet
Dallas Mavericks looking to compete for an NBA championship next season
The Dallas Mavericks’ successful re-signing of Daniel Gafford would put the finishing touch on their roster for the 2025-26 NBA season.
It’s hard to look at their roster and dismiss them as potential title contenders. The health of Kyrie Irving is a bit of a roadblock, but the point guard is expected to return to the team mid-way through the season.
When Irving returns, he will join Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg to form what would be a dominant trio in the NBA.
If this trio gels well together, the Mavericks could cause some serious problems for other teams in the Western Conference.