Cissé: Mavericks' 48-Hour Choice
Knicks Offer Moussa Cissé Two-Year Deal; Mavericks Have 48 Hours to Match
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Key Points
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The offer sheet for restricted free agents must be two seasons long; Dallas will have 48 hours to decide whether to match, a standard mechanism in RFAs.
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If Dallas does not match, New York would lose the ability to sign their draft picks to standard second-round minimum contracts while staying under the second apron, meaning Nickel and Kayil would likely need two-way deals for the 2026-27 season.
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Knicks’ frontcourt search extends beyond Cissé: Jonas Valanciunas was a targeted option but signed with the EuroLeague, and Ariel Hukporti also signed elsewhere, illustrating broader depth-building efforts.
The New York Knicks have agreed to a two-year offer sheet with restricted free agent center Moussa Cissé, starting at the veteran's minimum of $2.5 million, according to Yahoo Sports. The Dallas Mavericks now have 48 hours to decide whether to match the deal and keep Cissé — or let him walk to New York.
Cissé, 23, went undrafted in 2025 and spent last season with Dallas. He averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in just 13.9 minutes per game — solid production for a developing big man on minimal minutes.
Offer Sheet Terms and How the RFA Process Works
The deal is a two-year offer sheet, as required under restricted free agent rules. The first year is half-guaranteed, and the second year is fully non-guaranteed, per Yahoo Sports. That structure makes it a low-risk bet for New York — but Dallas can still match every term and bring Cissé back.
Under NBA rules, the Mavericks have exactly 48 hours to match the offer. If they do, Cissé stays in Dallas. If they don't, he becomes a Knick. The New York Post noted the deal is "far from complete" until Dallas makes its call.
Cissé Would Fill a Real Gap in New York's Frontcourt
The Knicks have a clear need at center. Mitchell Robinson recently left, creating a hole behind Karl-Anthony Towns. New York tried to land Jonas Valanciunas, but he signed with a EuroLeague club. Ariel Hukporti also signed elsewhere, according to Yahoo Sports.
The team did add veteran Andre Drummond, but Cissé would give New York a younger, cheaper option with upside. At 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he brings shot-blocking and rebounding — exactly what the Knicks need off the bench.
Cap Complications: How This Deal Affects the Knicks' Roster
If Dallas passes on matching, the deal triggers some tricky cap math for New York. The Knicks are near the NBA's second apron — a hard spending ceiling with strict rules. Signing Cissé to a standard contract could block the team from giving standard second-round minimum deals to their own draft picks, per Yahoo Sports.
Players like Tyler Nickel and Jack Ayil would likely need two-way contracts instead for the 2026-27 season. Two-way deals pay less and come with roster restrictions. It is a real trade-off New York must weigh as it builds out its depth.
What Dallas Decides Next Could Shape Both Rosters
For the Mavericks, this is a straightforward but meaningful call. Cissé is young, cheap, and improving. Matching a $2.5 million veteran's minimum deal costs very little. But if Dallas is rebuilding or wants to clear roster space, letting him go is an easy way to do it.
Either way, the clock is ticking. Both teams will know the answer within 48 hours. If Dallas walks away, Cissé joins a Knicks squad still actively searching for frontcourt stability heading into next season.
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