The New York Knicks will have to cross another name off their list of potential additions. The reigning champions recently parted ways with veteran John Konchar, as the fight for the roster spot remains. Now, another pursuit of their targets has come to an end thanks to the Dallas Mavericks’ decision.
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“The Mavericks are holding onto center Moussa Cisse, who will have his contract for the 2026-27 season fully guaranteed in a matter of minutes,” sources told ClutchPoints’ Bret Siegel. “Cisse signed an offer sheet with the Knicks earlier this summer only for Dallas to match and keep him.”
Moussa Cisse looked like someone who could become available if the Mavericks needed to clear a roster spot. But Dallas has now made sure that will not happen by keeping the 24-year-old center. That decision comes with the team already facing a difficult roster squeeze and Dwight Powell still trying to earn his way back onto the roster.
Because of this, the Knicks had some reason to believe Cisse could eventually return to the market. New York signed the restricted free agent to a two-year, $4.7 million offer sheet in July. Dallas matched the offer, but the agreement included an Oct. 1 guarantee. Until that deadline, Cisse’s first-year salary was only partially guaranteed. That created a scenario worth monitoring as the Mavericks worked through their crowded frontcourt.
Marc Stein reported that Dallas wants Powell back. With only 15 standard roster spots available, the Mavericks appeared to have a decision coming. Cisse could have been the odd man out. He is not anymore.
Dallas is heading to Macao for two preseason games against Houston, with all 15 standard contracts already accounted for. Powell remains in the mix as the Mavs make their final camp decisions. But the team has chosen to protect Cisse’s place rather than leave his future hanging.
Cisse would have been an inexpensive upside play for the Knicks. The 6-foot-11 center from Guinea went undrafted out of Memphis in 2025 and spent his first professional season on a two-way contract with Dallas. He appeared in 38 games, averaging 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 13.9 minutes per night. His efficiency around the basket stood out. The 24-year-old shot 57.4% from the field.
There was enough there for New York to take a chance in July. Now, the Knicks have to look elsewhere. Ian Begley effectively put the situation to rest for anyone still waiting to see whether Dallas would release Cisse.
“Just a PSA to Knicks fans waiting on Cisse news: you can head to bed … I would be shocked if DAL waived him.” The timing is not ideal for New York.
The Knicks have reportedly been aggressive in their attempts to find “an impactful center to their bench unit,” according to Brett Siegel. Their search could involve the trade market, with Pacome Dadiet and Miles McBride among the contracts expected to be considered in potential deals. The team also has several options in camp.
Andre Drummond is expected to take over Mitchell Robinson’s spot. Apart from him, Drew Eubanks and former top-five pick James Wiseman are competing for opportunities. Even Tony Bradley has joined the center battle.
Bradley has faced the Knicks in the postseason during his stints with the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks, and he now has a chance to compete for the final standard roster spot.
New York’s center competition features three veterans coming off very different seasons. Drew Eubanks appeared in 42 games for the Sacramento Kings in 2025-26, averaging 5.2 points and 3.0 rebounds before a torn UCL in his left thumb brought his season to an early end in March. James Wiseman’s year with the Indiana Pacers was even shorter.
He played four games and averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds while working his way back from a torn left Achilles tendon suffered the previous season. Tony Bradley saw action in 38 games for Indiana, putting up 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds, then appeared in just three games after joining Atlanta. That’s why the Knicks are taking their time to finalize the center spot.