Moussa Cissé attacking the rim as the Knicks weigh a center addition
The Knicks are trying to add another big without committing themselves to a bad contract. They signed restricted free agent Moussa Cissé to a two-year offer sheet, per Shams Charania.
The deal is half-guaranteed in Year 1, while the 2027-28 season is non-guaranteed. The Mavericks have 48 hours to decide whether to match, so New York’s move is not final yet.
For a team trying to stay flexible, that setup makes sense. Cissé gets a real chance to move to New York, while the Knicks keep an easy exit if the fit does not work.
Moussa Cissé defending in a Dallas game as the Knicks consider his offer sheet
Moussa Cissé defends during a Dallas game. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect.
Knicks are buying a long look at center
Cissé played 38 games for Dallas last season, starting once and logging 530 minutes. His NBA player profile reads like a project with a real physical base: 6-foot-11, long, active around the rim, and still learning how to turn that into consistent minutes.
I like this for New York. Cissé is not being asked to carry the position, and the contract does not force the front office to treat him like a finished product. He can compete, defend, run the floor, and earn more minutes. If that does not happen, the money is not trapped for years.
Dallas has a real decision to make
The Mavericks know Cissé’s body type and defensive tools. They also know he was still a limited part of their rotation. Matching would keep a young center in the building, but it would use a roster spot on a player who still has to prove he can stay on the floor.
The Knicks are betting the upside is worth the wait. They can add length behind their main frontcourt pieces, give Cissé a cleaner development path, and let the contract carry some of the risk.
My read: if Dallas lets it go, New York gets a useful flier without chasing a name for the sake of adding a center. If Dallas matches, the Knicks can move on without paying a premium for a backup.
Either way, the offer sheet gives the Knicks a clear plan. They found a young center they like, but they did not overcommit to him.
Mentioned in this article: Dallas Mavericks Knicks Moussa Cissé NBA Free Agency
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