Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Getty
Memphis Grizzlies sign Olivier-Maxence Prosper to new two-year deal.
After trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. at the NBA trade deadline, the Memphis Grizzlies have shown all the signs of a team that’s in rebuild mode.
Desmond Bane was the first domino to fall, after Memphis traded the guard to the Orlando Magic last offseason for four future first-round picks. Now, Ja Morant has shown all the signs of wanting out of the Grizzlies organization as well.
While looking to reset and build for the future, ESPN’s Shams Charania announced that the Grizzlies signed forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper to a new two-year contract.
Who is Olivier-Maxence Prosper?
Olivier-Maxence Prosper
GettyMemphis Grizzlies sign Olivier-Mazence Prosper to a new two-year deal.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, 23, is a former first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft out of the University of Marquette.
He was selected with the No. 24 overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks and spent his first two seasons with the franchise.
During his time in Dallas, Prosper played off the bench. In 92 total games (five starts) with the Mavericks, the 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward averaged 3.5 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 39 percent from the field.
Prosper was signed by the Grizzlies on Sept. 4 after the Mavericks waived him in the months before the start of the 2025-26 season.
Memphis has faced a large list of injuries this season. Ja Morant has been limited to 20 games due to a calf strain and a UCL sprain in his left elbow, Ty Jerome has dealt with calf and quad injuries that have limited him to just nine games, and Santi Aldama picked up a recent knee injury, resulting in 10 straight missed games.
All of these key players missing time has given Olivier-Maxence Prosper an opportunity for extended minutes.
In 36 games (seven starts) for the Grizzlies this season, Prosper is averaging career-highs in points (7.6), rebounds (3.1), field-goal percentage (54.1%), three-point percentage (38.9%), and minutes played (15.8).
The month of February has been the best stretch of his career. In 10 games, Prosper averaged 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 56.5 percent from the field.
An increase in opportunity and production could eventually result in Olivier-Maxence Prosper climbing the Grizzlies’ depth chart.
Grizzlies Look to Build for the Future
Tuomas Iisalo
GettyThe Memphis Grizzlies look to rebuild for the future with latest signing.
With Prosper’s new contract, the Grizzlies are showing they are committed to their young talent.
Players like Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, Santi Aldama, and Jaylen Wells are players who are 25 years old or younger and are signed to deals through the 2026-27 season.
The Grizzlies are one of the youngest teams in all of the NBA. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (33) and Taj Gibson (40) are the only players on the roster who are 30 years old or above.
The way Memphis drafts in the future will determine its success moving forward. As a result of trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies hold multiple first-round picks in each of the next two NBA Drafts.
Sitting at 23-37, Memphis isn’t a team that will be looking to contend for a title this season. They are currently five games behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the final Play-In spot in the Western Conference.
The franchise has completely flipped since its 56-26 regular season finish just four seasons ago in 2021-22. That season resulted in a loss in the Western Conference Semifinals.