If one thing is for certain, it\u2019s that Moussa Ciss\u00e9 is a trooper. The Guinean big man signed a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks in October of 2025, and in doing so, entered into one of the strangest and most chaotic seasons of Dallas basketball in a long time. The Nico Harrison firing, the Anthony Davis trade, Cooper Flagg\u2019s emergence\u2014that\u2019s quite a lot of drama for a rookie season. But Ciss\u00e9 has taken it in stride. He played nearly 40 games for the Mavericks in 2025-2026; while he only averaged around 5 points and 6 rebounds in 14 minutes, his time on the floor was impactful, giving Dallas defensive energy and rim protection in a season where it was desperate for both.<\/p>\n
Headed into 2026-2027, Ciss\u00e9 has a real chance to continue that momentum. Contract-wise, he\u2019s on solid ground, having just signed a 2-year, nearly-$5-million-dollar contract with Dallas (matching the New York Knicks\u2019 post-championship offer sheet). Now, the question is what Ciss\u00e9 can do with this opportunity\u2014and what that opportunity will realistically look like.<\/p>\n
With the 2026-2027 season on the horizon, there are real concerns regarding Dallas\u2019 center rotation. From a raw skills perspective, Dereck Lively II has the highest ceiling\u2014but ongoing right foot issues led to a major surgery in December 2025, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season. As of the most recent news, there\u2019s no timetable for his return<\/a>, and there\u2019s no telling how he\u2019ll look once he is back. Next in line is Daniel Gafford. He fared a bit better last season, playing 55 games for the Mavericks in 2025-2026, with averages hovering around 10 points and 7 rebounds. But in the absence of high-level facilitators like Kyrie Irving and Luka Don\u010di\u0107, Gafford\u2019s role on the team is shakier than it used to be.<\/p>\n How does Moussa Ciss\u00e9 fit into this puzzle? Well, that\u2019s the big question. If Lively can\u2019t come back and play meaningful minutes this season, it\u2019s very likely that Ciss\u00e9 will have to soak up some of that playing time. Likewise, if a trade market emerges for Gafford and Dallas decides to move on, Ciss\u00e9 should slot into the Mavericks\u2019 rotation quite naturally. However, if both Lively and Gafford are present and healthy, the picture starts to get murkier, especially with a new head coach at the helm.<\/p>\n The best case for Moussa Ciss\u00e9\u2019s growth is probably one of the two scenarios above. In a world where Lively or Gafford (or both) aren\u2019t playing, it\u2019s easy to imagine Ciss\u00e9 getting a more consistent 15 minutes per night. He\u2019s unlikely to be starting many of these games\u2014but he certainly could be subbing in for Santi Aldama or Morez Johnson Jr., who may both find themselves sliding over to play the five this season. Viewing the situation optimistically, Ciss\u00e9 might capitalize on this opportunity, bumping his season averages up to 8 points and 8 rebounds while maintaining excellent rim protection.<\/p>\n