Mavericks center Moussa Cisse could emerge as an intriguing Lakers option if he becomes available, with the young big man potentially offering a low-cost solution to their backup-center need.
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NBA reporter Jovan Buha has identified Dallas Mavericks center Moussa Cisse as one of the most intriguing hypothetical options for the Los Angeles Lakers if he becomes available before the start of the 2026-27 regular season.
The Lakers currently have Walker Kessler as their starting center, but Buha has repeatedly raised concerns about the drop-off behind him and believes Los Angeles could eventually benefit from adding another rotation-level big.
The 6-foot-11 center entered restricted free agency this summer and signed a two-year, $4.7 million offer sheet with the New York Knicks, which Dallas matched. His $2.2 million salary for the 2026-27 season became fully guaranteed after the Mavs kept him beyond the October 1 deadline.
However, Cisse's place on Dallas' final roster has since become less certain as veteran center Dwight Powell pushes for a spot.
The Stein Line reported that the Mavericks are exploring ways to retain Powell. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer specifically raised Cisse as a possible casualty, while also noting that Dallas could instead create room through a consolidation trade.
NBA reporter pitches Cisse as possible Lakers pickup
Asked which backup centers could become available through roster cuts, Buha immediately pointed to Cisse.
"I think the most intriguing guy would be Moussa Cisse," he said on Buha's Block. "I know there's been some speculation he might be available because Dwight Powell played ahead of him in a Mavericks game."
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Buha acknowledged that waiving Cisse would be somewhat surprising given Dallas' decision to match the Knicks' offer sheet only months earlier.
"At the same time, they did match his contract situation, or offer with the Knicks," he said. "Maybe you just don't wanna lose the asset for nothing, but then if you end up waiving the guy, you are losing the asset for nothing."
"That might be the only guy that I think rises to the level of potentially being a rotation-level player," he added.
Buha even floated a scenario in which the Lakers could initially offer Cisse a two-way contract while giving him an opportunity to earn the backup center role.
"You could dangle the backup job to Cisse and be like, 'Hey, we're gonna sign you on a two-way. We're obviously gonna save some money, but we're gonna give you the backup spot,'" Buha said.
"Assuming you perform well, we will convert you," he continued. "We'll waive someone, whoever's the 15th guy, and then we will convert you at a future date to the roster. But either him on the roster or on a two-way, I think you take that in a heartbeat."
Cisse, 24, averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 13.9 minutes over 38 appearances for Dallas as a rookie last season.
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