Mavs' Dereck Lively II, O-Max Prosper Gear Up For Summer League Debut

Mavs rookies Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper participated in their first full practice on Friday as the team prepares for their Summer League opener.

LAS VEGAS — As a result of the Dallas Mavericks acquiring draft rights to Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper using trades that did not becoming finalized until July 6, they were limited to being non-contact participants in practice until Friday. 

Both of the Mavs' first-round picks impressed the coaching staff, with the focus of the practice being to work on defensive principles and concepts. Their preparation has been limited to mostly film study but Friday marked the first opportunity to be hands on in applying those things. 

"Good. I'm not just saying that. [They offered] a huge defensive presence," Summer Mavs coach Jared Dudley said. "You would think that they'd be behind defensively, but we spent some extra time watching film. They just have a really good IQ defensively and awareness of that one."

Dudley was impressed with how eager Lively and Prosper were with asking questions in addition to seeing their general versatility on defense. There are still areas to work through, such as Lively handling traps. However, the potential for special results on that end remains clear to the organization.

"They asked good questions. When I was a rookie, I didn't even ask any questions. I was too afraid to be able to ask questions in front of everyone. They ask a lot of questions, so you see their athletic ability, you see their versatility guarding and switching from point guards to [multiple positions]. 

"And with Dereck on our traps, him being up there and being able to make the ball handler retreat, his length of athleticism, man, is gonna be special for the Mavs. We just gotta keep working with him." 

With Prosper having played three seasons of collegiate basketball, Dudley remains confident in his outlook to be an instant contributor. 

"You could tell [Omax] is a mature player. I could see him for us, even this coming season, because of how he is defensively. He's going to be a huge addition. ... I have to integrate these guys slowly, knock on wood, don't want anybody getting hurt, and just throw them out there for 30, 40 minutes. It wouldn't be smart for me [to do that]."

The Mavs' two rookies will have only fully participated in practice once before their Summer League debut, which features a challenging matchup against a talented Oklahoma City Thunder team. 

"Not being able to practice, man, it hurts," Lively said. "It hurts being able to just sit there and watch your team be able to play without you, getting farther than you, be able to get better than you. So it makes you just want to be that much [hungrier] to get back in the court."

"Same thing [as Lively said]. We're here now, you know? It's tough, man," Prosper said. "But now we're here now. We took advantage today, and now we're going to take advantage of tomorrow."

It's still early in the process for Prosper and Lively learning the Mavs' schemes and concepts. After being mostly limited to film study, both players were able to have a first-hand visualization of how their strengths can factor into the mix. 

Prosper sees his ability to play off the ball, catch-and-shoot, and attack the paint as being qualities that will be enhanced within the Mavs' scheme. Given that he will be playing alongside dynamic talents like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, embracing the nuances of his role could make for him being a strong complement.

"I think it fits really good [with] my ability to play off the ball, cut, catch a shoot, and ability to go downhill," Prosper said. "What we're running is not crazy offense, but it allows us to use our athleticism, skills, [and] ability to go downhill."

There is a clear understanding from Lively that screening will be an essential part of how he makes his impact for the Mavs. He's especially focused on ensuring that he's creating an advantage for the ball handler in order for the pressure applied on the defense to be maximized. 

"Being able to know I'm going to get my teammates open by setting screens, setting off ball screens, DHOs, just being able to play on the roll and just going to be able to make that easier," Lively said. "I'm going to be able to get my ball handlers an advantage, so I'm going be able to get them to lead so that he put the pressure on the defense, so I get a shot [or] he can find the best shot possible."

After the practice ended, Dudley coached up Lively on screening technique. The goal is for him to maximize the times he's forcing the on-ball defender to trail the guard when dribbling off the pick, as well as when to flip the screen as a counter to ICE coverage. in addition, the chemistry building process with his various guard teammates is very early in the process, which adds further variables into the mix.

"Well, for [Lively], he has to decide on, or when they're in ICE [coverage], do I get out or flip it? The screening angles want to be the lower half behind, so to make the guy have to trail, that's the big thing for especially athletic guys like him," Dudley said. "We want that defender to go over the screen so that now Luka [Doncic], [Jaden] Hardy, McKinley Wright, [or] Kyrie [Irving] can get downhill, and now we have a roller. 

"You see, Luka loves the late lob when it comes to [Dwight Powell]," Dudley explained. "Lively has that elite ability. So that's what we're looking for when it comes to that."

After today's Summer Mavs practice, Jared Dudley gave Dereck Lively II pointers on his screening. I asked Dudley about that part of Lively's development.

"Well, for him, he has to decide on, or when they're in ICE [coverage], do I get out or flip it? The screening angles want to… pic.twitter.com/TyJ0u2sJaW

— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) July 8, 2023

Another teaching point that was provided to Lively during the open portion of Friday's practice was regarding handling the ball handler while still maintaining a position to recover back onto the big in pick-and-roll. Right now, there is adjustment in terminology that is taking place, which can take some time to complete.

"I thought he was good. I think that's just a natural [part of the process]," Dudley said. "I think that's why made him a top 12 pick is his defense. It's a natural instinct. He knows when to go for a block, when to stay down, [or] when to switch. For him it's just when it goes full speed, when it's using our terminology, we call it ICE, at Duke, they might call it something else. We call it weak in the top of the key."

With a shot turnaround from finally being allowed to fully participate in practice, it won't be long until the Mavs have game film on their rookies to use for adjustments to further the development process. 

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Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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