The Mavericks may have found a reason to feel better about life without Daniel Gafford: Moussa Cisse.
Last season, the undrafted rookie out of Memphis quietly turned into one of Dallas’ best finds. In 13.9 minutes a night, Cisse put up 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 57.4 percent from the field. The production mattered, sure, but it was the way he played that stood out - nonstop energy, real rim protection and enough athleticism to keep flashing all year long.
That kind of debut changes the conversation. Dallas signed Cisse to a two-year deal after he spent the entire season on a two-way contract, and he now looks like a real part of the team’s young core. He’s only 23, and with Dereck Lively II’s health still a question and Gafford’s future in Dallas uncertain, Cisse is in position to take on even more.
That’s why a Gafford move feels more workable now than it might have a year ago. Cisse should be in line for more minutes next season anyway, and if Gafford is dealt, the path opens even wider.
Dallas has been tied to Gafford trade talk for multiple years, and this offseason has only pushed the noise louder. He has now been shopped by three different front offices, and the Mavericks’ decision to bring Cisse back on a two-year contract gives them a built-in replacement if they finally pull the trigger.
There’s also the roster math. Dallas has to trim down to 15 players on standard contracts before next season begins, which means a move is coming one way or another. Trading Gafford or Klay Thompson looks like the most likely route, and the Mavericks could actually come out ahead by moving Gafford now.
The logic is pretty straightforward. A deal would clear more runway for Cisse, and it would also remove Gafford’s three-year, $54 million contract from the books.
If his injury issues keep following him into next season, that contract could age badly fast. Getting out ahead of that possibility could matter a lot for Dallas heading into the 2026-27 season.
If Gafford is moved, Cisse would have a real shot at the backup center job behind Lively II. And if Lively II’s injury problems show up again, Cisse could even end up starting some games. Dusty May should be comfortable with that kind of role for him.
The leap Cisse made from last summer’s Summer League to now is hard to miss. He went from a promising name to someone who has already made a case for rotation minutes, and if he keeps developing at this pace, Dallas may have found a rotation-caliber big man in undrafted territory.
The dunks, blocks and hustle are already there. The offensive game still has a long way to go, since he’s mostly just a rim runner right now, but the upside is enough to make the Mavericks think hard about betting on Cisse and moving Gafford.
In Other News...
Mavericks May Not Keep This Young Shooter For Long
John Poulakidas earned another look from Dallas after finishing last season with a strong shooting stretch, and the Mavericks rewarded him with a two-way contract for another year. The move came as the team shuffled the back end of its roster, matching an offer sheet for Moussa Cisse and waiving Tyler Smith to create space for other two-way options.
Poulakidas is expected to suit up for Dallas this season, giving the Mavericks a young perimeter shooter worth watching as they sort through their development pieces. Still, his long-term future may not be settled in Texas, with EuroHoops.net reporting that Olympiacos and Panathinaikos are among the clubs keeping tabs on him for next year. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Hold The Leverage In Klay Thompson Trade Race
The Klay Thompson market has turned into one of the more interesting subplots around Dallas, with the Mavericks positioned in a spot that could let them dictate how this ends. Los Angeles has already been linked to a trade framework involving Jarred Vanderbilt and a future second-round pick, while Miamis interest has been described as much more conditional, hinging on Thompson reaching unrestricted free agency through a buyout.
For Dallas, the key point is simple: a trade keeps real value on the table, and that is the route the front office appears to prefer. The Lakers willingness to act now could complicate things for other teams hoping to wait it out, but no deal has been finalized, and the Mavericks still hold the leverage as the competing agendas continue to play out. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Still Hold The Key To Klay Thompsons Uncertain Next Move
Klay Thompsons status is still one of the more interesting loose ends around the Mavericks roster picture, and it has started to draw attention well beyond Dallas. Miami has shown interest in the veteran shooter, with the Heat still looking for proven perimeter help to fit alongside a roster built around Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
For Dallas, the next step remains tied to how it handles Thompsons contract, since the team is weighing whether to move him or go another route if no trade materializes. If he ends up in the buyout market, Miami would have a path to make a run at him using its midlevel exception, giving Thompson a potential landing spot while the Mavericks sort out what comes next. [Read more 🡒]