Overview
- The New York Knicks signed Dallas restricted free agent Moussa Cissé to a two-year offer sheet on Saturday, but the Mavericks exercised their right to match the contract late Saturday night.
- The matched deal is a two-year, veteran-minimum style contract reported at about $4.7 million with roughly half of Year 1 guaranteed and the second season non-guaranteed.
- Under NBA restricted free-agent rules the original club has 48 hours to match an offer sheet and, by matching, Dallas keeps Cissé on the exact terms New York proposed.
- Cissé is a 23-year-old, 6'11" undrafted rookie known for rim protection and rebounding who averaged about 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 13.9 minutes across 38 games last season.
- The Mavericks' quick match preserves a young, low-cost piece for their frontcourt while the Knicks, limited by second-apron salary rules and recent departures at center, must pursue other developmental options by trade, waiver or training-camp competition.