The Dallas Mavericks put a stop to the New York Knicks’ push to add depth at the center position, matching a contract offer sheet for restricted free agent Moussa Cisse before the deadline, according to his agents who spoke with ESPN.
Earlier that Saturday, the Knicks had inked the 6-foot-11 big man to a two-year deal worth $4.7 million. However, agents Yann Balikouzou and Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management confirmed that Dallas matched the offer before the 48-hour window closed Monday night, keeping Cisse in a Mavericks uniform.
Because the offer sheet was matched, ESPN noted that Cisse cannot be dealt to another team without his approval for one full year — and a trade specifically to the Knicks is off the table during that period. New York, the reigning league champion, had been looking to fill a void after reserve center Mitchell Robinson departed for the Boston Celtics in free agency.
During his rookie campaign last season, Cisse appeared in 38 games for Dallas — making one start — and averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 13.9 minutes per game. He originally joined the Mavericks as an undrafted free agent on a two-way contract, and became a restricted free agent after Dallas extended him a qualifying offer following the season.
Originally from Guinea, Cisse played college basketball at Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, and Memphis before reaching the NBA.
