Moussa

Cisse

With the Knicks and Cissé agreeing to an offer sheet on Saturday afternoon, the Mavericks had until Monday to decide whether they would match it. Dallas didn’t even wait until the end of Saturday to match the offer, which gets the 6-foot-11 center a two-year guaranteed contract. Cissé had his moments as a rookie, most notably grabbing 20 rebounds in the Mavericks’ season finale. The Mavericks have solid depth at center, but holding onto Cissé gives them a needed insurance policy after Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II struggled with injuries last season.

Cissé, who spent his rookie season on a two-way deal with the Mavericks after going undrafted, is a restricted free agent. As a result, the Mavericks have the right to match the offer sheet, which will be worth just under $2.2 million next season and just under $2.6 million in 2027-28. While the Knicks did sign Andre Drummond earlier in free agency, there is still a need for a third big, and Cissé offers youth and a far more athletic profile if the reigning champions can sign him.

As a two-way player, Cissé’s opportunities this season were somewhat limited. However, he got another extended opportunity on Sunday and finished with season-highs in points and rebounds. Add in the defensive stats, and this was an excellent stat line for fantasy managers whose leagues were active on Sunday. Cissé’s fantasy outlook for 2026-27 depends on whether he can secure a standard contract.

Both bigs were initially doubtful for this game, and they have now officially been ruled out. Moussa Cissé and Dwight Powell should fill the minutes at center for the season finale. Gafford’s fantasy value in 2026-27 probably depends a lot on how healthy Dereck Lively is, but he has a chance to produce if given a path to major playing time.

Sunday’s game won’t impact anything beyond draft lottery odds, so the Mavericks are likely to put out a rotation that lacks most of the team’s proven players. With Gafford and Bagley considered doubtful for the regular season finale, Moussa Cissé should play plenty with veteran Dwight Powell also available to log rotation minutes at the five.

With Daniel Gafford (rest) out and Marvin Bagley (shoulder) exiting early, Powell ended up playing 24 minutes off the bench and contributing a well-rounded stat line. Moussa Cisse ended up playing 19 minutes and contributed seven points, eight rebounds, two steals and three blocks. The pair were able to provide strong minutes down low, and if Gafford and Bagley remain out for the season finale on Sunday, Powell and Cisse should fill the center minutes once again.

Bagley has been managing a shoulder injury recently, but he tried to play through it for this game. However, there is a chance his night is over after just eight minutes. If that’s the case, Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse will fill the center minutes for the rest of this game.

Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington are both doubtful, so if Bagley III and Powell end up sitting, Moussa Cisse could be in line for a big role in Dallas’ shorthanded frontcourt.

Daniel Gafford (shoulder) is doubtful, so Bagley should start if he plays. If not, that responsibility will be pushed down to Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse, who will split the minutes down low.

Gafford exited early on Sunday and is expected to remain out against LA. Marvin Bagley (shoulder) is questionable, but if he plays, he’ll fill out the starting center spot. If not, Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse will split the minutes down low.