Mavericks Seal Deal with Moussa Cisse After Knicks Pitch Offer Sheet

When the Knicks slipped a two‑year, $4.7 million offer sheet across the table for 6‑foot‑11 center Moussa Cisse, Dallas didn’t waste much time. The Mavericks stepped in, signed the papers and announced they’d matched the deal well before the 48‑hour deadline that closed Monday night.

Cisse, an undrafted Memphis product who earned a two‑way contract with the Mavericks last summer, became a restricted free agent after Dallas extended a qualifying offer. He’s been a quiet work‑horse on the court – averaging 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in just under 14 minutes per game during the 2025‑26 season – but his size and defensive instincts have made him a coveted piece for any front‑court.

The Knicks’ proposal breaks down to $2.2 million for the first season, with a clause that drops the salary to $1.1 million if Cisse isn’t waived by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 1, 2026. The remaining balance becomes fully guaranteed on Oct. 1. By matching those exact terms, Dallas retains full control while also locking the player into a modest, rookie‑scale deal.

One catch for the Mavs: Cisse can’t be moved without his consent for a full year, and the contract explicitly bars any trade that would send him to New York during that span. It’s a safeguard both teams seem comfortable with – the Knicks lost their starting center Mitchell Robinson in free agency and were clearly looking for a low‑cost replacement, while Dallas simply wanted to keep a young big who fits their defensive philosophy.

For Cisse, the match means another season in Dallas’ system, where he can continue to develop under head coach Jason Kidd. The contract isn’t glamorous, but it offers stability and a chance to prove he belongs in the league beyond a two‑way slot.

All told, the move underscores how restricted‑free‑agent negotiations still feel a lot like a game of chess – offers get made, deadlines loom, and teams either match, trade, or walk away. In this case, Dallas chose to stay the course, keeping Cisse in its roster puzzle for at least the next two years.