The Dallas Mavericks used Saturday to make a pair of roster cuts, and one of them cleared a path on the two-way side.
Dallas announced that it waived guards Seth Lundy and John Poulakidas, trimming its group as the preseason wraps and the regular season approaches. Poulakidas, a sharpshooting guard on a two-way deal, had drawn some surprise from fans when his name popped up, but the move lines up with how his preseason unfolded.
He was a healthy scratch in the second preseason game against the Houston Rockets, and while he did score 16 points against the New Orleans Pelicans, his value was tied mostly to his shooting. The Mavericks still need perimeter help in the backcourt, but they already have Jett Howard on a two-way and Tarik Biberovic on the standard roster who can provide similar looks.
There had also been chatter about Poulakidas heading to Greece next season, and this move could accelerate that possibility.
Now Dallas has another opening to consider, and the expectation is that the team will look for another playmaker. At the same time, the bigger roster question remains Dwight Powell, who is still the name to watch as the Mavericks sort through their final decisions.
One possible route would be to waive Moussa Cisse and reopen a path for Powell, with the idea of bringing Cisse back on a two-way deal. But that may be easier said than done, because Cisse appears to have some interest elsewhere around the league.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported recently that the Philadelphia 76ers are a team to watch for him after Ariel Hukporti tore his Achilles, and even though they added Tacko Fall on a two-way, they could still use another big. Cisse also has a history with the New York Knicks, who signed him to an offer sheet that Dallas quickly matched, so other teams could come into play as well.
For now, the Mavericks have one two-way spot open and more roster maneuvering ahead.
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