The New York Knicks need to add size after losing Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics and Ariel Hukporti to the 76ers. The Knicks have been linked to free agent Jonas Valanciunas — before the Lithuanian ultimately chose to return home and sign with Zalgiris — Micah Potter, and Nick Richards. But the Knicks are reportedly going in a different direction to find a reserve big man.
Knicks Attempting To Steal Restricted Free Agent From Mavericks
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks have signed Dallas Mavericks restricted free agent Moussa Cisse to a two-year offer sheet. Cisse was with the Mavericks on a two-way deal last season and was offered a qualifying offer to remain with the franchise on a minor league deal before free agency began. The Mavs have until Monday to match the offer.
Cisse will earn the league minimum ($2.5 million), with the salary becoming fully guaranteed on October 1. Charania added that all of 2027-28 is nonguaranteed.
Restricted free agent Moussa Cisse has agreed to a two-year contract offer sheet with the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. His salary is half guaranteed in the first year and 2027-28 is non-guaranteed. The Dallas Mavericks have 48 hours to match or not. pic.twitter.com/pxo45v0Bw2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 18, 2026
Cisse went undrafted out of Memphis last year. The 6-11 big signed an Exhibit 10 deal and joined the Mavericks summer league squad. After playing well in the summer league and showing the same efficiency and shot-blocking ability during training camp, the Mavs converted his deal to a two-way pact.
Cisse was expected to spend most of the year with the G-League Texas Legends. But the 23-year-old ended up becoming part of the Mavs rotation early in the season as a result of injuries to Dereck Lively II.
Cisse averaged 4.5 points on 57.4% shooting from the field, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 13 minutes a game over 38 appearances. Cisse produced two double-doubles and eight games of five or more rebounds. His best game of the season came in the season finale against the Chicago Bulls, where he tallied 17 points, 20 rebounds (10 offensive), two steals, and two blocks.
What Does Cisse Bring To The Knicks
Dallas doesn’t figure to match the offer sheet. The Mavericks already have 15 players on standard contracts and have brought in several frontcourt pieces this summer: Santi Aldama, Morez Johnson Jr., and Tarik Biberovic.
If the Mavericks don’t match the offer sheet, Cisse would be the 14th player on a standard contract for the Knicks. It would also bring the Knicks to around $700,000 below the second apron. Therefore, it would prevent the Knicks from being able to sign their draft picks to contracts via the second-round minimum while also staying under 2nd apron, per Ian Begley of SNYtv. Therefore, the Knicks will likely have to sign their second-round selections, Tyler Nickel and Jack Kayil, to two-way contracts.
The Moussa Cisse offer sheet from Knicks starts at veterans minimum of $2.5M, per league source. If Mavs don’t match offer sheet by 11:59 pm on Monday, Knicks would land young center to bolster depth after Mitchell Robinson & Ariel Hukporti signed elsewhere. If Mavs don’t match,…
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 18, 2026
Cisse is the exact type of player the Knicks were looking for as their third center. He doesn’t figure to get much playing time early in the season behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond. Mohamad Diawara also projects to see some time at the five.
Cisse is young, athletic, has a high motor, and runs the floor well. Cisse is a vertical threat and finishes decently well at the rim. He thrives on the offensive glass and as a screener. Additionally, he is a capable rim protector.
New York doesn’t have any players signed to minor league deals. So, Kayil and Nickel would be the first if they agree to such a deal—which is very likely. Liam Robbins and Dillon Jones could be candidates for the last spot.
Photo Credit: Brenden Willsch, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
