The Dallas Mavericks have waived veteran center Dwight Powell to meet the 15-man roster limit, opting to retain second-year center Moussa Cisse instead. This decision reflects the team’s focus on Cisse’s higher potential over Powell’s proven reliability.
Cisse’s value became evident as multiple teams expressed interest in him. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks would have claimed him off waivers, while the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers showed interest in a two-way contract. This external interest likely factored into the Mavericks’ decision to keep Cisse, as losing him for nothing would have been a missed opportunity.
Read Also: USC Trojans Face Wisconsin Tests Before Ohio State Showdown
The Mavericks couldn’t re-sign Cisse to a two-way deal due to prior financial commitments, specifically the guaranteed money they gave him after matching an offer sheet from the New York Knicks. This financial constraint further incentivized his retention. With frontcourt injuries to Dereck Lively II, Santi Aldama, and Morez Johnson Jr., Cisse’s role remains secure for now. Lively II is still recovering from foot surgery with no clear return timeline, Aldama is nearing his return from knee surgery in March, and Johnson Jr. is on a minutes restriction due to shin splints.
The new front office, led by Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz, will face this decision later. Their approach could also open an avenue to bring Powell back in the future, though for now, the player with the 5th-most games played in franchise history is back on the open market, though it would be surprising to see him elsewhere.
