The Memphis Grizzlies brought Olivier-Maxence Prosper into the fold this season. Here's our grade for how he performed during the 2025-26 season.
It's time for the Memphis Grizzlies to reflect.
They don't need to ask themselves what went wrong this season. It's obvious. Ja Morant missed most of the year. So did Zach Edey. A rash of injuries motivated Memphis to trade Jaren Jackson Jr. for a haul of first-round picks at the deadline, and that was a smart decision.
The more pertinent question is this: What went right?
There are precious few answers, but there are some. The Grizzlies got some solid performances from potential long-term rotation players this year. That's a bright spot in a dark season.
Canadian forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper was one of those bright spots.
Grizzlies forward proves value in challenging season
Nobody is confusing Prosper for a superstar player.
That's not his game. Prosper never projected as a high-end shot creator in the NBA. It should come as no surprise that 95.0% of his threes in 2025-26 were assisted.
It's not a problem. What matters is his efficiency. Prosper shot 40.5% from three. If he can maintain that level of accuracy, the Grizzlies will be happy to have him on a long-term basis.
That's especially true if he's able to play the 5. In 2025-26, 16% of Prosper's minutes came at the position. It was a notable departure from the 37% he spent in Dallas in 2024-25, but it's still a meaningful share for a 6'7" player. Prosper has established himself as a small-ball 5 option.
That starts on the defensive end. Prosper is a high-energy defender. At 230 pounds, he's got a solid base to defend taller players. He put those skills on full display for the Grizzlies this year.
Was there anything to criticize about his season?
Grizzlies forward needs to stay healthy
A rash of injuries has kept Prosper off the floor for stretches this season.
That's about the only knock. It wouldn't be fair to hold Prosper's limited offensive game against him. This is not a player who tries to do more than he can. Prosper understands his role, and he plays it well.
That's the type of player that teams like to keep. It's also the type of player who’s easy to move. Realistically, it wouldn't be a shock if Prosper didn't spend the remainder of his career with Memphis. That said, the organization ought to value him enough to hang onto him unless there's an opportunity they can't pass up.
Hopefully, their reflection leads them to the same conclusion.
Grade: A