ESPN's Kevin Pelton recently mentioned that the Memphis Grizzlies' biggest hole on their roster was wing size. That assumption came after an offseason spent adding lengthy wing players to their roster. First, the Grizzlies drafted the 6'6" Cedric Coward with the 11th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft and later added former 2023 first-round pick Olivier-Maxence Prosper (O-Max) to their final two-way contract slot.
It was reported by ESPN's Shams Charania that the Grizzlies tried trading for the 6'7" forward during the offseason before he was waived by the Dallas Mavericks in late August. His signing added depth at a position filled with youth alongside Coward, GG Jackson, and Jaylen Wells. While signing as a two-way prospect will limit his time with the Grizzlies' main roster, "O-Max" will certainly bring intrigue to a roster that needs more players of his caliber.
Prosper will be the next standard contract conversion
The Grizzlies utilize their two-way contracts to their maximum value, and O-Max appears to be the next player to benefit from it. Since the start of the 2023-24 regular season, the Grizzlies have converted five players from two-way contracts to standard contracts on the main roster, with four of the players remaining on the current roster.
Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson's contracts were converted in the middle of the 2023-24 season, Scotty Pippen Jr.'s contract was converted during the preseason last year, Jay Huff's contract was converted after their third regular-season game last year, and Cam Spencer's contract was converted this summer. Jay Huff was subsequently traded this summer for a second-round draft pick, providing great value for a player who was initially signed to a two-way contract last summer.
The Grizzlies have a full roster, but they have a couple of fringe players who could be moved in John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. Both players can shift positions between guard and forward, but are behind a loaded young core. O-Max's potential as a versatile defender at his 6'7" height makes him an intriguing prospect, especially considering the Grizzlies were looking to trade for him.
He got caught up in a numbers game with the Mavericks, who needed guard depth to offset Kyrie Irving's availability for this season. Their depth at the wing and forward positions led to them parting ways with him, and the Grizzlies wasted no time bringing him into their organization. O-Max is only entering his third year in the NBA, so look for the Grizzlies to develop him into a formidable NBA player.