The signing that the Mavs have "taken away" from the Knicks
Dallas matches New York's offer and retains Moussa Cisse in the NBA 2026 Free Agency for two years and 4.7 million
Dallas Mavericks have decided to keep one of their young interior players with the most potential. The Texan franchise matched the offer of two years and 4.7 million dollars that the New York Knicks presented to the restricted free agent Moussa Cisse, ensuring the 23-year-old center's continuity in their roster.
The information was confirmed by Yann Balikouzou and Kevin Bradbury, from Lift Sports Management, to Shams Charania of ESPN. Although Cisse had officially signed the Knicks' offer sheet during Saturday morning, the Mavericks reacted quickly and exercised their right to match the contract well before the 48-hour deadline set by the NBA expired.
With this decision, Dallas retains a player who has earned a place in the rotation due to his defensive abilities, while the Knicks will need to continue looking for alternatives to strengthen a position that was weakened after Mitchell Robinson's departure.
Dallas bets on Cisse's continuity
The Mavericks had already shown their intention to retain Moussa Cisse when they presented him with a qualifying offer at the beginning of free agency, officially making him a restricted free agent.
This condition allowed Dallas to match any proposal received from another franchise, and that is exactly what happened when New York tried to secure his services.
Although the contract does not represent a significant financial burden, the decision reflects the confidence the organization has in the development of the young center, who joined the NBA last summer after going undrafted.
Contract details
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Team | Dallas Mavericks |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Total value | 4.7 million dollars |
| Status | Matched offer |
| Type of free agent | Restricted |
Additionally, the contract includes different guarantee dates that provide some flexibility to the franchise.
According to Bobby Marks (ESPN), Cisse's salary for the 2026-27 season will be 2.2 million dollars, with only 1.1 million being guaranteed if he remains on the roster until September 1. The remaining salary will be fully guaranteed on October 1.
Restrictions after matching the offer
NBA regulations also impose several limitations after a team matches an offer to a restricted free agent.
In Cisse's case:
He cannot be traded without his consent for a year.
He also cannot be sent to the New York Knicks during that same period.
These restrictions are common in this type of operation and ensure a certain stability for both the player and the franchise that decides to match the offer.
Steady growth in Dallas
Moussa Cisse joined the Mavericks during the summer of 2025 after completing his college career at Memphis.
He initially signed a two-way contract and alternated minutes between the NBA and the G League until gradually establishing himself as a useful piece in the team's interior rotation.
His defensive profile quickly caught the attention of the coaching staff due to his ability to protect the rim, grab rebounds, and provide energy off the bench.
Last season, he played significant minutes as a backup and posted promising statistics.
Moussa Cisse's stats in the 2025-26 season
| Statistic | Average |
|---|---|
| Games | — |
| Minutes | 13.9 |
| Points | 4.5 |
| Rebounds | 5.7 |
| Blocks | 1.2 |
Although his offensive numbers remain modest, his defensive production is highly valuable considering the time he spends on the court.
Knicks lose an option to strengthen the frontcourt
The operation represents a setback for the New York Knicks.
The reigning NBA champions were seeking depth in the paint after Mitchell Robinson's departure, one of the defensive cornerstones of the team in recent seasons.
Cisse represented a young, athletic, and relatively economical alternative to complement the frontcourt rotation alongside Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond.
However, being a restricted free agent, the Knicks relied on Dallas deciding not to match the offer, something that ultimately did not happen.
Now, the New York franchise will have to explore other available options in the market if they intend to strengthen a position that still raises doubts regarding the title defense.
Dallas maintains a future asset
For the Mavericks, retaining Cisse means keeping a player with room for growth and a profile increasingly sought after in the modern NBA.
Standing at 2.11 meters, with mobility to defend spaces and the ability to intimidate near the rim, the center fits the type of pivot that many franchises aim to develop in the long term.
Furthermore, the contract's cost is manageable and offers financial flexibility thanks to the staggered guarantees in the agreement.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El fichaje que los Mavs le han "quitado" a los Knicks