Moussa Cisse is reportedly considered the frontrunner to be released by the Dallas Mavericks given the team's strong intention to keep longtime veteran Dwight Powell.
Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks have expressed a desire to claim Cisse should the Mavs cut him from their roster.
And even if they don't have available two-way openings, both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers would also be interested in signing the talented big man in such a deal.
"The Stein Line has learned, however, that Cisse is a real candidate to be claimed off waived in the event he is let go. Chicago, sources say, has interest in the high-energy big man. I'm told Atlanta also has interest even though the Hawks don't currently have an open standard spot," Stein wrote in his latest report.
"If Cisse were to be waived Monday and then clear waivers Wednesday, I'm also told that the 76ers and Lakers would have strong interest in signing him to a two-way deal even though neither team currently has a two-way opening."
Moussa Cisse Mavericks future uncertain due to Dwight Powell
Moussa Cisse finds himself in a shaky spot out of the Dallas Mavericks' plans to retain Dwight Powell ahead of the upcoming season.
Cisse, an athletic, 24-year-old rim-running big, was notably kept by the Mavericks earlier this past offseason upon matching the New York Knicks' two-year, $4.7 million offer sheet.
He averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 13.9 minutes per game across 38 appearances for Dallas last year.
The Mavericks have until Monday at 3:00 PM CT to decide whether they will cut Cisse or move on from Powell, as Tuesday marks the first day of the brand-new 2026-27 NBA season.
Lakers, 76ers, Bulls, Hawks roster status
The Atlanta Hawks currently have a full 15-man lineup heading to next week's opener. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers still have one spot open to fill, although the latter will intentionally leave it to avoid reaching the second apron.
The Los Angeles Lakers are loaded with 16 players and need to move one to meet the roster requirement.
Still, until the final buzzer on Monday, all these teams can still be active in landing deals before Tuesday's opener.