The Dallas Mavericks made headlines with a blockbuster move that few saw coming - trading Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. It’s a seismic shift for a team that, just weeks ago, seemed poised to ride out the season with Davis anchoring the roster.
But with the trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, the focus in Dallas has clearly shifted. It’s no longer about salvaging this season - it’s about building the future, and that future is centered around Cooper Flagg.
The Mavericks aren’t in win-now mode. They’re in development mode.
And even though the trade window is closed, there’s still work to be done. That means turning attention to the backend of the roster - specifically, to two rookies who’ve been playing well above their two-way status: Moussa Cisse and Ryan Nembhard.
Head coach Jason Kidd didn’t mince words when asked about the two. “We’re gonna manage our checkbook here,” he said, acknowledging the reality of the NBA’s roster and salary constraints.
“They do only have a certain amount of games and sometimes they’re gonna have to sit… They both deserve to maybe be upgraded to a standard contract, and not a two-way. But that decision will come here in the next couple weeks.”
For now, the Mavericks are in a bit of a holding pattern. Cisse and Nembhard are nearing the 50-game limit that comes with two-way contracts - Nembhard can only be active for six more games, Cisse for eight.
With 31 games left on the schedule, Dallas will have to be strategic about when and how they use them. It’s a juggling act that reflects both the current limitations of the roster and the long-term value the Mavericks see in these two young players.
The reality is, if Dallas wants to keep either of them on the floor down the stretch, they’ll need to make room on the standard roster. That means waiving someone.
It’s not an easy decision, but it’s one the Mavericks seem prepared to make - and soon. Kidd’s comments suggest the front office is already weighing those options, and there’s little doubt that both Cisse and Nembhard have earned strong consideration.
Cisse has carved out a role with his relentless energy, rim protection, and physical presence in the paint - the kind of hustle that doesn’t always show up in the box score but makes a difference every possession. He’s quickly become a fan favorite, and it’s not hard to see why. He plays like every minute matters - because for a two-way player, it does.
Nembhard, meanwhile, brings a steady hand and high basketball IQ to the backcourt. His playmaking, court vision, and ability to knock down threes have turned heads, and he’s shown real chemistry with Flagg - a potential cornerstone pairing for the Mavs moving forward.
He doesn’t force the game; he reads it, adapts, and makes smart decisions. That’s rare for a rookie, and it’s exactly what rebuilding teams need.
Together, Cisse and Nembhard are proving that this year’s rookie class in Dallas is more than just Cooper Flagg. It’s a group with real depth and upside - arguably one of the most promising draft hauls the Mavericks have had in years. And while Flagg may be the face of the rebuild, players like Cisse and Nembhard are giving this team a foundation to build on.
The next few weeks will be telling. Dallas has no open roster spots after a trade deadline that saw four players come in and four go out, so if they want to upgrade either rookie, someone has to go. It’s a tough call, but it’s the kind of call that defines a rebuild - choosing development over short-term depth, investing in potential over past production.
The Mavericks may not be chasing a playoff spot this year, but they are building something. And if they can find a way to keep Cisse and Nembhard in the fold, that something might come together faster than anyone expected.